Systems for supporting packet processing operations

ABSTRACT

Several systems for supporting packet processing are described. A first system supports virtual routing of a packet. A second system supports de-multiplexing of a packet. A third system supports advanced MPLS label processing of a packet.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/558,039, filed Mar. 30, 2004, which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of packet processing, and more specifically, to supporting virtual router, packet de-multiplexing and advanced MPLS label processing operations.

RELATED ART

Current packet processing systems are under increasing pressure to handle higher and higher data throughputs of, e.g., 10 GB/s or more, and more complex and diverse data packet formats, e.g., embedded packet formats. However, these systems are subject to various bottlenecks and constraints that limit the data throughput that is achievable and the packet formats that can be handled. Hence, there is a need for a packet processing system that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for supporting virtual routing of a packet is described. In this system, a register is configured to hold a plurality of predetermined router addresses. Comparison logic is configured to compare an address derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined router addresses held in the register, and derive a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the one or more predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet. Assertion logic is configured to assert a flag if the state of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.

A system for supporting de-multiplexing of a packet is also described. In this system, key deriving logic is configured to derive a key indicating a desired class of service for the packet selected from a plurality of possible classes of service. Starting address logic is configured to provide a starting address of a program sequence for the packet responsive to the key, the starting address selected from a plurality of possible starting addresses, each associated with different classes of service. A memory is configured to hold a plurality of program sequences corresponding to the possible starting addresses. Execution logic is configured to execute the program sequence corresponding to the starting address provided by the starting address logic.

A system for supporting advanced MPLS label processing of a packet having a plurality of MPLS labels is also described. In this system, key deriving logic is configured to derive a key from the packet, the key reflecting each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet. Processing logic is configured to process the packet responsive to the key, including processing in parallel each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet, resulting in a classification or forwarding decision for the packet responsive to each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet.

Related systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention or combinations of the foregoing will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, advantages and combinations be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a packet processing system that comprises a receive-side packet classification system and a transmit-side packet modification system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the format of a packet header as produced by an embodiment of a packet classification system in a packet processing system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a receive-side packet classification system.

FIGS. 4A-4B are a block diagram of an embodiment of a transmit-side packet modification system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a cascade of multiple packet processing systems.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of method of processing a packet which comprises multiple parsing steps.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of performing egress mirroring of a packet.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of performing egress marking of a packet.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of resolving a plurality of quality of service (QoS) indicators for a packet utilizing a configurable priority resolution scheme.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of classifying a packet in which sliced packet data is provided to a packet classification engine over a wide data path.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of modifying a packet in which sliced packet data is provided to a packet modification engine over a wide data path.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of controlling packet classification processing of a packet through first and second stacks.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of maintaining packet statistics which involves allocating a packet size determiner to a packet from a pool of packet size determiners.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of classifying a packet which involves buffering the packet in a buffer upon or after ingress thereof, and associating packet classification data with the packet as retrieved directly from the buffer to form a classified packet on an egress data path.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of modifying a packet which involves buffering the packet in a buffer upon or after ingress thereof, and assembling a packet on an egress data path from one or more modified portions of the packet, and one or more unmodified portions as retrieved directly from the buffer.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of performing classification processing of a packet in a cascaded combination of multiple, replicated packet classification systems.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of preventing re-ordering of packets in a packet processing system.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a pipelined packet processing system.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating operation of the pipeline in one embodiment of the system of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates one example of the categories of working state information in the system of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 illustrates one implementation of the pipeline of FIG. 19, as configured to process the multiple categories of state information illustrated in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of the control portion of state data maintained in one embodiment of the processing pipeline for a packet.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of the AFH portion of state data maintained in one embodiment of the processing pipeline for a packet.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of the statistics portion of state data maintained in one embodiment of the processing pipeline for a packet.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of the consolidated state data maintained in one embodiment of the processing pipeline for a packet.

FIGS. 26A-26B illustrate an example of the format of the state data of FIG. 25 at the nibble level of detail.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of the format of the first 128 bytes of packet data at the nibble level of detail.

FIGS. 28A-28C illustrate an implementation example the format of a SCT entry.

FIG. 29 illustrates one embodiment of data path logic for deriving a CAM key.

FIG. 30 illustrates one embodiment of SCT-supplied selection data used in the data path logic of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 illustrates several examples of CAM key formats.

FIGS. 32A-32B illustrates an implementation example of the format of an ARAM entry.

FIG. 33 illustrates an embodiment of logic for updating context select values.

FIG. 34 illustrates an embodiment of logic for updating packet context pointers, current working VLAN, and current L3 Header using the context select values of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 illustrates an embodiment of logic for updating the index of the next SCT entry.

FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment of logic for updating priority-based working state information.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method of performing pipelined processing of a packet.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method of performing a cycle of processing on the data in a filled slot of the pipeline.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for deriving a quality of service indicator for a packet from a plurality of candidate quality of service indicators.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram of an implementation example of the system of FIG. 39, wherein three candidate quality of service indicators may be derived for a given processor slot, the first using a VLAN state table, the second using a QoS mapping process, and the third using a CAM-based searching process.

FIG. 41A illustrates an example format of the VLAN State Table (VST), and

FIG. 41B illustrates an example format of an entry of the VST.

FIG. 42A illustrates an example format of the Vpri QoS Mapping Table, and

FIG. 42B illustrates an example format of an entry of the Vpri QoS Mapping Table.

FIG. 43A illustrates an example format of the MPLS Exp QoS Mapping Table, and FIG. 43B illustrates an example format of an entry of the MPLS Exp QoS Mapping Table.

FIG. 44A illustrates an example format of the IP v4 ToS QoS Mapping Table, and FIG. 44B illustrates an example format of an entry of the IP v4 ToS QoS Mapping Table.

FIG. 45A illustrates an example format of the IP v6 ToS Mapping Table, and

FIG. 45B illustrates an example format of an entry of the IP v6 ToS Mapping Table.

FIG. 46A illustrates an example format of the Port State Table (PST), and

FIG. 46B illustrates an example format of an entry of the PST.

FIG. 47A illustrates an example format of the QoS Priority Table, and FIG. 47B illustrates an example format of an entry of the QoS Priority Table.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of deriving a quality of service indicator for a packet from a plurality of candidate quality of service indicators.

FIG. 49 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for supporting virtual routing of a packet.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of supporting virtual routing of a packet.

FIG. 51 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for supporting de-multiplexing of a packet by determining a starting address for a processing sequence responsive to a desired class of service for the packet.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of supporting de-multiplexing of a packet by determining a starting address for a processing sequence responsive to a desired class of service for the packet.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for supporting advanced MPLS label processing of a packet.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of supporting advanced MPLS label processing of a packet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following applications are commonly owned by the assignee hereof, are being filed on even date herewith, and are each incorporated by reference herein as though set forth in full:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. Filing date 10/814,725 PACKET Mar. 30, 2004 PROCESSING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND METHOD 10/814,552 PACKET Mar. 30, 2004 PROCESSING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND METHOD 10/814,556 PACKET DATA Mar. 30, 2004 MODIFICATION PROCESSOR 10/814,728 SYSTEM AND Mar. 30, 2004 METHOD FOR PACKET PROCESSOR STATUS MONITORING 10/814,545 METHOD AND Mar. 30, 2004 SYSTEM FOR INCREMENTALLY UPDATING A CHECKSUM IN A NETWORK DATA PACKET 10/814,729 SYSTEM AND Mar. 30, 2004 METHOD FOR EGRESS PACKET MARKING 10/813,731 SYSTEM AND Mar. 30, 2004 METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A DATA PACKET 10/814,727 PACKET DATA Mar. 30, 2004 MODIFICATION PROCESSOR COMMAND INSTRUCTION SET 10/814,774 DATA STRUCTURES Mar. 30, 2004 FOR SUPPORTING PACKET DATA MODIFICATION OPERATIONS 10/835,532 SYSTEM FOR Apr. 28, 2004 DERIVING PACKET QUALITY OF SERVICE INDICATOR 10/835,272 PACKET PARSER Apr. 28, 2004 10/834,566 PIPELINED PACKET Apr. 28, 2004 PROCESSOR 10/834,576 SYSTEM FOR Apr. 28, 2004 DERIVING HASH VALUES FOR PACKETS IN A PACKET PROCESSING SYSTEM 10/834,576 SYSTEM FOR Apr. 28, 2004 ACCESSING CONTENT- ADDRESSABLE MEMORY IN PACKET PROCESSOR 10/834,573 SYSTEM FOR Apr. 28, 2004 STATISTICS GATHERING AND SAMPLING IN A PACKET PROCESSING SYSTEM 10/834,573 EXCEPTION Apr. 28, 2004 HANDLING SYSTEM FOR PACKET PROCESSING SYSTEM

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As utilized herein, terms such as “about” and “substantially” and “near” are intended to allow some leeway in mathematical exactness to account for tolerances that are acceptable in the trade. Accordingly, any deviations upward or downward from the value modified by the terms “about” or “substantially” or “near” in the range of 1% to 20% or less should be considered to be explicitly within the scope of the stated value.

As used herein, the terms “software” or “instructions” or commands” include source code, assembly language code, binary code, firmware, macro-instructions, micro-instructions, or the like, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

The term “memory” refers to any processor-readable physical or logical medium, including but not limited to RAM, ROM, EPROM, PROM, EEPROM, disk, floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, queue, FIFO or the like, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing, on which may be stored one or more instructions or commands executable by a processor, data, or packets in whole or in part.

The terms “processor” or “CPU” or “engine” refer to any device capable of executing one or more commands or instructions and includes, without limitation, a general- or special-purpose microprocessor, finite state machine, controller, computer, digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.

The term “logic” refers to implementations in hardware, software, or combinations of hardware and software.

The term “stack” may be implemented through a first-in-first-out memory such as a FIFO.

The term “packet” means (1) a group of binary digits including data and control elements which is switched and transmitted as a composite whole, wherein the data and control elements and possibly error control information are arranged in a specified format; (2) a block of information that is transmitted within a single transfer operation; (3) a collection of symbols that contains addressing information and possibly error detection or correction information; (4) a sequence of characters with a specific order and format, such as destination followed by a payload; (5) a grouping of data of some finite size that is transmitted as a unit; (6) a frame; (7) the logical organization of control and data fields defined for any of the layers or sub-layers of an applicable reference model, including the OSI or TCP/IP reference models, e.g., MAC sub-layer; or (8) a unit of transmission for any of the layers or sub-layers of an applicable reference model, including the OSI or TCP/IP reference models.

The term “layer two of the OSI reference model” includes the MAC sub-layer.

The term “port” or “channel” refers to any point of ingress or egress to or from a switch or other entity, including any port channel or sub-channel, or any channel or sub-channel of a bus coupled to the port.

The term “register” refers to any physical medium for holding a data element, including, but not limited to, a buffer, FIFO, or the like.

The term “packet processing state data” in relation to a packet refers to data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of processing of the packet, or both.

Example Environment

An example environment for the subject invention will now be described. Many others examples are possible, so nothing in this example should be taken as limiting.

A. Overall Packet Processing System

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment 100 of a packet processing system comprising a packet classification system 102 and a packet modification system 104. The packet classification system 102 has an ingress portion 106 and an egress portion 108. Similarly, the packet modification system 104 has an ingress portion 110 and an egress portion 112. The ingress portion 106 of the packet classification system 102 is coupled, through interface 118, to one or more network-side devices 114, and the egress portion 108 of the packet classification system 102 is coupled, through interface 120, to one or more switch-side devices 116. The ingress portion 110 of the packet modification system 104 is coupled, through interface 122, to the one or more switch-side devices 116, and the egress portion 124 of the packet modification system 104 is coupled, through interface 112, to the one or more network-side devices 114.

The packet classification system 102 comprises an ingress portion 106, a first packet parser 126 for parsing a packet and providing first data representative thereof, and a packet classification engine 128 for classifying the packet responsive to the first data. The packet modification system 104 comprises a second packet parser 130 for parsing the classified packet (after a round trip through the one or more switch-side devices 116) or a packet derived there-from and providing second data representative thereof, a packet modification engine 132 for modifying some or all of the packet responsive to the second data, a third packet parser 134 for parsing the modified packet and providing third data representative thereof, and a packet post-processor 136 for post-processing the modified packet responsive to the third data.

In one embodiment, the packet undergoing processing by the system has a plurality of encapsulated layers, and each of the first, second and third parsers 126, 130, 134 is configured to parse the packet by providing context pointers pointing to the start of one or more of the encapsulated layers. In a second embodiment, the packet undergoing processing by the system comprises a first packet forming the payload portion of a second packet, each of the first and second packets having a plurality of encapsulated layers, and each of the first, second and third parsers 126, 130, 134 is configured to parse the packet by providing context pointers pointing to the start of one or more of the encapsulated layers of the first packet and one or more of the encapsulated layers of the second packet.

In one implementation, the packet post-processor 136 is configured to compute a checksum for a modified packet responsive to the third data provided by parser 134. In one embodiment, the packet post-processor 136 is configured to independently calculate a layer three (IP) and layer four (TCP/UDP) checksum.

In one embodiment, packet post-processor 136 comprises Egress Access Control List (ACL) logic 136 a and Packet Marking logic 136 b. The Egress ACL logic 136 a is configured to arrive at an ACL decision with respect to a packet. In one implementation, four ACL decisions can be independently performed: 1) default ACL action; 2) CPU copy; 3) mirror copy; and 4) kill. The default ACL action may be set to kill or allow. The CPU copy action forwards a copy of the packet to a host 138 coupled to the system. The mirror copy action implements an egress mirroring function (to be discussed in more detail later), in which a copy of the packet is forwarded to mirror FIFO 140 and then on to the egress portion 108 of the packet classification system 102. The kill action either kills the packet or marks it for killing by a downstream Medium Access Control (MAC) processor.

The Packet Marking logic 136 b is configured to implement a packet egress marking function in which certain packet marking control information for a packet generated by the packet classification system 102 is used to selectively modify one or more quality of service (QoS) fields in the packet.

In one embodiment, Content Addressable Memory (CAM) 142 is used by the packet classification system 102 to perform packet searches to arrive at a classification decision for a packet. In one implementation, the CAM searches are ternary in that all entries of the CAM have a data and mask field allowing don't care setting of any bit position in the data field. In another implementation, the CAM searches are binary, or combinations of binary and ternary.

The associated RAM (ARAM) 144 provides associated data for each entry in the CAM 142. The ARAM 144 is accessed using the match address returned by the CAM 142 as a result of a search operation. The ARAM 144 entry data is used to supply intermediate classification information for the packet that is used by the classification engine 128 in making a final classification decision for the packet.

The statistics RAM 146 is used to maintain various packet statistics, including, for each CAM entry, the cumulative number and size of packets that hit or matched that entry.

The modification RAM 148 provides data and control structures for packet modification operations performed by the modification engine 132.

In one implementation, the interfaces 150, 152, 154, and 156 with any of the RAMs or CAMs may be a QDR- or DDR-type interface as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,742, filed Sep. 4, 2003, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as though set forth in full.

FIG. 2 illustrates the format of classification data 200 for a packet as produced by one embodiment of packet classification system 102. The classification data 200 in this embodiment has first and second portions, identified respectively with numerals 202 and 204. The first portion 202 is a 64 bit Address Filtering Header (AFH) which is pre-pended to the packet. The second portion 204 is a 20 bit grouping of flags that are encoded as control bits maintained by the system 100.

In one embodiment, the Port Tag Index (PTI) field is an identifier of the port or list of ports within interface 124 over which the packet will be sent by the packet modification engine. (The assumption in this embodiment is that the interface 124 is a multi-port interface).

The Egress Quality of Service (EQoS) field may be used to perform an egress queue selection function in a device encountering the packet. In one embodiment, this field also encodes one of the following functions: nothing, pre-emptive kill, normal kill, thermonuclear kill, egress mirror copy, pre-emptive intercept to host, and normal intercept to host.

The Link Aggregation Index (LAI) field may be used to implement physical link selection, ingress alias, echo kill alias, or equal cost multi-path functions in a device encountering the packet.

The JUMBO flag, if asserted, directs a device encountering the packet to perform a JUMBO-allowed check. In one embodiment, the flag is used to implement the policy that the only valid JUMBO packets are IP packets. Therefore, if the packet is a non-IP JUMBO packet, the device either sends it to a host, fragments it, or kills it.

The DON'T FRAG flag, if asserted, directs a device encountering the packet not to fragment it in the course of implementing a JUMBO-allowed check.

The IF TYPE flag indicates whether the ingress interface over which the packet was received is an Ethernet or Packet Over Sonet (POS) interface.

The ROUTE flag, if asserted, indicates that the packet is being bridged not routed, and may be used by devices encountering the packet to implement an echo kill suppress function.

The RANDOM EARLY DROP (RED) flag may be used to implement a random early drop function in devices encountering the packet.

The CTL flag indicates the format of the AFH. FIG. 2 illustrates the format of the header for packets exiting the packet classification system 102 and destined for the one or more switch-side devices 116. Another format applies for packets exiting the one or more switch-side devices 116 and destined for the packet modification system 104. The CTL flag indicates which of these two formats is applicable.

The Transmit Modification Index (TXMI) field is used by the modification engine 132 to retrieve control and data structures from Modification RAM 148 for use in performing any necessary modifications to the packet.

The CPU Quality of Service (CQoS) field may be used to perform an ingress queue select function in a host coupled to the packet processing system.

In one embodiment, the CPU Copy flag, if asserted, directs one or more of the switch-side devices 116 to forward a copy of the packet to a host coupled to the packet processing system. In another embodiment, the CPU Copy flag, if asserted, directs a copy of a packet to be forwarded to the host through a host bus or another PBUS.

The Redirect flag, if asserted, directs one or more of the switch-side devices 116 to forward a copy of the packet to the host for redirect processing. In redirect processing, the host receives the packet copy and redirects it to the sender, with an indication that the sender should switch the packet, not route it.

The Statistical Sample (SSAMPLE) flag, if asserted, indicates to one or more of the switch-side devices 116 that the packet is a candidate for statistical sampling. If the packet is ultimately selected for statistical sampling, a copy of the packet is directed to the host, which performs a statistical analysis of the packet for the purpose of accurately characterizing the network traffic of which the packet is a part.

The LEARN flag, if asserted, directs one or more of the switch-side devices 116 to forward a copy of the packet to the host so the host can perform learn processing. In learn processing, the host analyzes the packet to “learn” the sender's MAC address for future packet switching of packets to that address.

The Egress Mirror (EMIRROR) flag, if asserted, implements egress mirroring by directing one or more of the switch-side devices 116 to send a copy of the packet to mirror FIFO 140. From mirror FIFO 140, the packet passes through the egress portion 108 of the packet classification system 102 en route to the one or more switch-side devices 116.

The Ingress Quality of Service (IQoS) field may be used to perform an ingress queue selection function in a device encountering the packet.

The Egress Mark Select (EMRK SEL) field selects one of several possible egress mark functions. The Egress Mask (EMRK MASK) field selects one of several possible egress masks. Together, the EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields forms an embodiment of packet egress marking control information which may be used by packet marking logic 136 b to mark the packet, i.e., selectively modify one or more QoS fields within the packet.

The Ingress Mirror (IMIRROR) flag, if asserted, directs one or more of the switch-side devices 116 to forward a copy of the packet to the designated ingress mirror port on the switch.

The Parity Error Kill (PERR KILL) flag, if asserted, directs the interface 120 to kill the packet due to detection of an ARAM parity error.

In one embodiment, the EMIRROR bit is normally in an unasserted state. If the packet classification system 102, after analyzing the packet, determines that egress mirroring of the packet is appropriate, the packet classification system 102 changes the state of the EMIRROR bit to place it in the asserted state.

The packet, along with a pre-pended AFH containing the EMIRROR bit, is then forwarded to the one or more switch-side devices 116. After processing the packet, the one or more devices transmit the packet, with the EMIRROR bit preserved in a pre-pended packet header, back to the packet modification system 104 over interface 122. In response, the packet modification system 104 is configured to detect the state of the EMIRROR bit to determine if egress mirroring of the modified packet is activated, and if so, provide a copy of the modified packet to the egress portion 108 of the packet classification system 102 through the mirror FIFO 140.

In one embodiment, the EQoS, CQoS, IQoS, EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields define a multi-dimensional quality of service indicator for the packet. In this embodiment, the EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields form packet egress marking control information that is utilized by packet modification system 104 to selectively modify one or more quality of service fields within the packet, or a packet derived there-from.

The quality of service indicator for a packet may be derived from a plurality of candidate quality of service indicators derived from diverse sources. In one embodiment, a plurality of candidate quality of service indicators are derived for a packet, each with an assigned priority, and a configurable priority resolution scheme is utilized to select one of the plurality of quality of service indicators for assigning to the packet. In one embodiment, one or more of the candidate quality of service indicators, and associated priorities, are derived by mapping one or more fields of the packet into one or more candidate quality of service indicators for the packet and associated priorities. In a second embodiment, one or more searches are conducted to obtain one or more candidate quality of service indicators for the packet and associated priorities. In a third embodiment, a combination of these two approaches is utilized.

In one example, candidate quality of service indicators, and associated priorities, are derived from three sources. The first is a VLAN mapping scheme in which a VLAN from the packet is mapped into a candidate quality of service indicator and associated priority using a VLAN state table (VST). The VLAN from the packet may represent a subnet or traffic type, and the associated priority may vary based on the subnet or traffic type. The second is a CAM-based search that yields an associated ARAM entry that in turn yields a candidate quality of service indicator. A field of an entry in a Sequence Control Table (SCT) RAM, which provides the sequence of commands controlling the operation of one embodiment of the packet classification engine 102, provides the associated priority. The third is a QoS mapping scheme, which operates in one of three modes, as determined by a field in a SCT RAM entry.

In the first mode, the .lp mapping mode, the VST provides the four QSEGment bits. The QSEG and the .lp bits are mapped into a candidate quality of service indicator, and the VLAN itself is mapped into an associated priority using the VST. In the second mode, the MPLS mapping mode, the EXP/QoS fields from the packet are mapped into a candidate quality of service indicator, and a VLAN from the packet is mapped into the associated priority using the VST. In the third mode, the ToS mapping mode, the IPv4 ToS, IPv6 Traffic Class, or Ipv6 Flow Label based QoS fields are mapped into a candidate quality of service indicator, and a VLAN from the packet is mapped into an associated priority using the VST.

In this example, the candidate quality of service indicator with the highest priority is assigned to the packet. Moreover, a candidate from one of the sources can be established as the default, which may be overridden by a candidate obtained from one of the other sources, at least a candidate that has a higher priority than the default selection. For example, the candidate quality of service indicator resulting from the lp mapping mode can be established as the default selection, and this default overridden only by a candidate quality of service indicator resulting from an ARAM entry in turn resulting from a CAM-based search.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment 300 of a packet classification system. In this embodiment, the packet classification system is coupled to one or more network-side devices through a multi-port packet bus (PBUS) 302, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/405,960 and 10/405,961, filed Apr. 1, 2003, which are both hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. PBUS ingress logic 304 is configured to detect a start of packet (SOP) condition for packets arriving at the packet classification system over the PBUS.

Upon or after detection of the SOP condition, the packet, or a portion thereof, is stored in slicer 306. Slicer 306 is configured to slice some or all of a packet into portions and provide the portions in parallel over first data path 308 having a first width to classification engine 310. In one embodiment, the slicer 306 is a FIFO which stores the first 128 bytes of a packet (or the entirety of the packet if less than 128 bytes), and provides the 1024 bits thereof in parallel to the packet classification engine 310 over the first data path 308.

Upon or after detection of the SOP condition, parser 312 parses the packet in the manner described previously, and stores the resultant context pointers (and other flags resulting from the parsing process) in parser result RAM 314. Concurrently with this parsing process, the packet is stored in buffer 318, which in one embodiment, is a FIFO buffer.

The packet classification engine 310 is configured to classify the packet responsive to the packet portions received over the first data path 308 and the parser results as stored in the parser result RAM 314, and store data representative of the packet classification in classification RAM 316. In one embodiment, the classification data is the AF header illustrated in FIG. 2.

An associator 320 is configured to associate the data representative of the packet classification with some or all of the packet, and provide the associated packet over a second data path 322 having a second width less than the first width.

The packet classification system is coupled to one or more switch-side devices over a multi-port PBUS 326, and PBUS egress logic 324 is configured to transmit the associated packet over the PBUS 326.

In one embodiment, slicer 306 comprises a plurality of memories configured to store some or all of the packet, and provide the portions thereof in parallel over the first data path 308 to the classification engine 310. In one example, the slicer 306 is configured as eight (8) memories configured to provide the first 1024 bits of the bits of the packet (or less if the packet is less than 128 bytes) in parallel over the first data path 308 to classification engine 310.

In one embodiment, the associator 320 comprises a multiplexor configured to multiplex onto the second data path 322 the data representative of the packet classification as stored in classification RAM 316 and some or all of the packet as stored in buffer 318. In one implementation, the multiplexor multiplexes the first 8 byte portion 202 of the AF data illustrated in FIG. 2 (which may be referred to as the AF header) onto the second data path followed by the packet as stored in buffer 318, thereby effectively pre-pending the AF header to the packet. In this implementation, control logic 328 controls the operation of the multiplexor through one or more signals provided over control data path 334.

More specifically, the multiplexor in this implementation is configured to select one of three inputs and output the selected input to the second data path 322 under the control of the control logic 328. The first input is the classification data as stored in classification RAM 316. The second input is the packet as stored in buffer 318. The third input is the output of the mirror FIFO 140. This third input is selected when the egress mirroring function, discussed previously, is activated.

In one embodiment, the control logic 328 is also configured to maintain first and second FIFO buffers, identified respectively with numerals 330 and 332, the first FIFO buffer 330 for identifying those packets which are awaiting classification by the packet classification system, and the second FIFO buffer 332 for identifying those packets which are undergoing classification by the classification system.

In this embodiment, the control logic 328 is configured to place an identifier of a packet on the first FIFO buffer 330 upon or after receipt of the packet by the packet classification system, pop the identifier off the first FIFO buffer 330 and place it on the second FIFO buffer 332 upon or after initiation of classification processing of the packet by the packet classification system, and pop the identifier off the second FIFO buffer 332 upon or after completion of classification processing of the packet by the packet classification system.

The control logic 328 is configured to prevent the packet classification system from outputting a packet onto PBUS 326 while an identifier of the same is placed on either the first or second FIFO buffers 330, 332, and allows the packet classification system to output the packet onto PBUS 326 upon or after the identifier of the packet has been popped off the second FIFO buffer 332. In one implementation, the control logic 328 prevents the associator 320 from outputting data on the second data path 322 through one or more signals provided over control data path 334. In one implementation, the control logic 328 is a state machine.

In one embodiment, the control logic 328 forms the basis of a packet statistics maintaining system within the packet classification system. In this embodiment, the control logic 328 is configured to maintain a pool of packet size determiners, and allocate a packet size determiner to a packet from the pool upon or after receipt thereof by the packet classification system.

In one implementation, the control logic 328 allocates a packet size determiner to a packet upon or after the PBUS ingress logic 304 signals a SOP condition for the packet. The packet size determiner is configured to determine the size of the packet, and the control logic 328 is configured to return the packet size determiner to the pool upon or after the same has determined the size of the packet. In one implementation example, the packet size determiners are counters.

Statistics RAM 330 in this embodiment maintains packet statistics, and statistics update logic 336 is configured to update the packet statistics responsive to the determined size of the packet. In one implementation, the statistics update logic 336 includes a queue for queuing statistics update requests issued by the control logic 328.

In one configuration, the packet statistics maintaining system is configured to maintain packet statistics indicating the cumulative size of packets which have met specified processing conditions or hits, and the statistics update logic 336, upon or after a packet size determiner has determined the size of a packet, is configured to increment a cumulative size statistic for a particular processing condition or hit by the determined size of the packet if the packet satisfies that particular processing condition or hit. In one example, the system maintains statistics indicating the cumulative size and number of packets that have resulted in each of a plurality of ternary CAM 142 hits.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an embodiment 400 of a packet modification system having PBUS ingress logic 404 that is coupled to one or more switch-side devices through PBUS 402. In this embodiment, the packets are received over the PBUS channels in bursts. The PBUS ingress logic 404 is configured to monitor the PBUS channels in a round robin fashion. When the PBUS ingress logic 404 detects a SOP condition on one of the channels, the Transmit Modification Index (TXMI) is extracted from the AF header of the packet, and it, along with the length of the initial packet burst, and an end of packet (EOP) marker if the packet length is less than or equal to the burst length, is placed on Transmit In Control FIFO 406. The packet or packet burst is stored in Transmit In Data FIFO 428, and a pointer to the start of the packet or packet burst (SOP pointer) is stored in Transmit Engine FIFO 408, along with an identifier of the PBUS channel over which the packet or packet burst was received. In one implementation, the packet bursts are 128 bytes in length.

Transmit In Data FIFO 428 stores the packet data such that portions of the packet can be passed in parallel over a first data path 402 having a first width to a modification engine 422. In one implementation, the Transmit In Data FIFO 428 comprises a plurality of FIFOs, with the outputs of the FIFOs coupled in parallel to the modification engine 422 and collectively forming the first data path 402. Incoming packet or packet bursts are copied into each of the plurality of FIFOs, thereby providing the modification engine with sliced portions of the packets or packet bursts in parallel.

The incoming packets or packet bursts are also input to the second packet parser 424, which parses the packets or packet bursts in the manner described previously. The context pointers and status bits resulting from the parsing process are stored in parser result RAM 426.

The Transmit Command Sequencer 410 is configured to read a SOP pointer and channel from the Transmit Engine FIFO 408, and utilize this information to locate the packet or packet bursts in the Transmit In Control FIFO 406. The Transmit Modification Index (TXMI) within the AF header of this packet or packet burst is then located and used to access a TXMI link in External Transmit SRAM 412, an SRAM located off-chip in relation to modification engine 422. The TXMI link may either be 1) an internal recipe link to a recipe of modification commands stored in Internal Recipe RAM 414, an on-chip RAM in relation to modification engine 422, and related data structures stored in External Transmit SRAM 412, or 2) an external recipe link to a recipe of modification commands stored in External Transmit SRAM 412 and related data structures also stored in External Transmit SRAM 412.

The sequencer 410 also assigns a sequence number to the packet to prevent packet re-ordering. It then directs the Transmit RAM arbiter 416 to read the recipe of modification commands stored in the External Transmit SRAM 412 (assuming the TXMI link is an external recipe link) or Internal Recipe RAM 414 (assuming the TXMI link is an internal recipe link) and store the same in Recipe RAM 418, an on-chip RAM in relation to modification engine 422. It further directs the arbiter 416 to read the data structures associated with the specified internal or external recipe command sequence, and store the same in Data RAM 420, another on-chip RAM in relation to modification engine 422.

The sequencer 410 then awaits an available slot in the pipeline of the modification engine 422. When such is available, the sequencer 410 passes to the engine 422 for placement in the slot a pointer to the recipe as stored in Recipe RAM 418 and other related information.

The sequencer 410 assigns a fragment buffer to the packet. The fragment buffer is a buffer within a plurality of fragment buffers which collectively may be referred to as TX work buffer 436. The modification engine then executes the recipe for the packet or packet burst, through one or more passes through the modification engine pipeline. In one embodiment, the recipe comprises one or more entries, and one or more passes through the pipeline are performed to execute each entry of the recipe.

In the process of executing the recipe, the modification engine 422 stores the modified fragments of the packet in the fragment buffer allocated to the packet in TX work buffer 436. At the same time, the modification engine 422 stores, in ascending order in fragment format RAM 438, pointers to the modified fragments of the packet as stored in the fragment buffer and pointers to the unmodified fragments of the packet as stored in Transmit In Data FIFO 428.

When all the recipe entries have been executed, the modification engine 422 writes an entry to the fragment CAM 440, the entry comprising the PBUS channel over which the packet was received, the sequence number for the packet, the SOP pointer to the packet (as stored in the Transmit In Data FIFO 428), a packet to be filled flag, a packet offset in the Transmit In Data FIFO 428, and the total length of the list of fragments as stored in the fragment format RAM 438. This completes the processing of the packet by the modification engine 422.

Fragment/burst processor 442 assembles the packets for ultimate egress from the system. To prevent packet re-ordering, the fragment burst processor 442 processes, for each PBUS channel, the packets in the order in which they were received by the modification system 400. More specifically, the fragment/burst processor 442 maintains an expected next sequence number for each PBUS channel, and then performs, in round robin fashion, CAM searches in fragment CAM 440 for an entry bearing the expected next sequence number for the channel. If an entry is found with that sequence number, the fragment/burst processor 442 processes it. If such an entry is not found, the fragment/burst processor 442 takes no action with respect to the channel at that time, and proceeds to process the next channel.

When a fragment CAM entry with the expected next sequence number is located, the fragment/burst processor 442 directs assembler 446 to assemble the packet responsive to the fragment list for the packet as stored in the fragment format RAM 438. In one embodiment, the assembler 446 is a multiplexor, which is directed to multiplex between outputting on second data path 444, responsive to the fragment list, the modified packet fragments as stored in the TX work buffer 436 and the unmodified packet fragments as stored in the Transmit In Data FIFO 428 (as provided to the multiplexor 446 over data path 434). Through this process, the packet is assembled in ascending order on second data path 444. In one embodiment, the second data path 444 has a width less than the width of the first data path 402. In one implementation, the fragment/burst processor 442 outputs the packets over data path 444 in the form of bursts.

The assembled packet is parsed by the third packet parser 448 in the manner described previously. The resultant context pointers and status flags are then passed, along with the packet, for concurrent processing by Transmit Processor Block 452 and Transmit ACL Logic 454.

The Transmit Processor Block 452 performs two main functions. First, it performs egress mark processing by selectively modifying one or more QoS fields in the packet responsive to the egress mark control information from the packet stored by the modification engine in Transmit Post Processor RAM 456. In one example, any of the VLAN VPRI, MPLS EXP, and IPv4/IPv6 TOS fields may be modified through this process utilizing the VPRI/EXP/IPToS RAMs 458 as appropriate. The egress mark control information may be derived from one or more egress mark commands specified by an AFH pre-pended to the packet, or from one or more egress mark commands within a recipe for the packet. Second, it performs OSI Layer 3/Layer 4 checksum calculation or modification.

The Transmit ACL logic 454 conducts a CAM search for the packet in Egress ACL CAM 460 to determine if the packet should be killed, a copy sent to the host, or mirrored to the egress mirror FIFO 140. The packet then exits the packet modification system 400 through the egress portion 462 of the system 400, and is output onto PBUS 464.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cascaded combination 500 of multiple, replicated packet systems, each of which is either a packet classification system or a packet modification system. In one embodiment, the cascaded combination comprises a first one 502 of the replicated packet systems having ingress and egress portions, identified respectively with numerals 504 and 506, and a second one 508 of the replicated packet systems having ingress and egress portions, identified respectively with numerals 510 and 512.

In this embodiment, the egress portion 506 of the first packet system 502 is coupled to the ingress portion 510 of the second packet system 508. Moreover, the first one 502 of the replicated packet systems is configured to perform partial processing of a packet, either classification or modification processing as the case may be, and the second one 508 of the replicated packet systems is configured to complete processing of the packet.

In one configuration, packet system 508 forms the last one of a plurality of systems in the cascaded combination, and packet system 502 forms either the first or the next to last one of the systems in the cascaded combination.

In one example, each of the replicated systems performs a limited number of processing cycles, and the number of replicated systems is chosen to increase the number of processing cycles to a desired level beyond that achievable with a single system.

In a second example, a complete set of processing functions or tasks is allocated amongst the replicated systems. In one configuration, a first replicated system is allocated ACL and QoS classification processing tasks, and a second replicated system is allocated PTI/TXMI classification processing tasks.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment 600 of a method of processing a packet. In this embodiment, the method comprises step 602, parsing a packet and providing first data representative thereof, and step 604, classifying the packet responsive to the first data.

In step 606, the packet is forwarded to and received from switching fabric, which may perform additional processing of the packet. Step 608 comprises parsing the packet received from the switching fabric (which may be the packet forwarded to the switching fabric, or a packet derived there-from), and providing second data representative thereof.

Step 610 comprises modifying the packet responsive to the second data, and step 612 comprises parsing the modified packet and providing third data representative thereof. Step 614 comprises post-processing the modified packet responsive to the third data.

In one embodiment, the packet undergoing processing has a plurality of encapsulation layers, and each of the first, second and third parsing steps 602, 608, 612 comprising providing context pointers pointing to the start of one or more of the encapsulated layers of the packet.

In a second embodiment, the packet undergoing processing comprises a first packet forming the payload portion of a second packet, each of the first and second packets having a plurality of encapsulation layers, and each of the first, second and third parsing steps 602, 608, 612 comprises providing context pointers pointing to the start of one or more of the encapsulated layers of the first packet and one or more of the encapsulated layers of the second packet.

In one implementation, the post-processing step comprises computing a checksum for the modified packet. In a second implementation, the post-processing step comprises egress marking of the packet. In a third implementation, the post-processing step comprises the combination of the foregoing two implementations.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a second embodiment 700 of a method of processing a packet. In this embodiment, step 702 comprises analyzing a packet in a packet classification system and, responsive thereto, selectively changing the state of a control bit from a first state to a second state. Step 704 comprises forwarding the packet to and from switching fabric. Step 706 comprises modifying, in a packet modification system, the packet received from the switching fabric (either the packet forwarded to the switching fabric, or a packet derived there-from), detecting the control bit to determine if egress mirroring of the modified packet is activated, and if so, providing a copy of the modified packet to the packet classification system.

In one implementation, the control bit is associated with the packet received from the switching fabric. In one example, the control bit is in a packet header pre-pended to the packet received from the switching fabric.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a third embodiment 800 of a method of processing a packet. Step 802 comprises providing a multi-dimensional quality of service (QoS) indicator for a packet. Step 804 comprises forwarding the packet to and from switching fabric. Step 806 comprises egress marking of the packet received from the switching fabric (either the packet forwarded to the switching fabric, or a packet derived there-from), responsive to at least a portion of the multi-dimensional QoS indicator.

In one implementation, step 806 comprises selectively modifying one or more quality of service fields within the packet received from the switching fabric responsive to at least a portion of the multi-dimensional quality of service indicator.

In one configuration, the multi-dimensional quality of service indicator comprises an ingress quality of service indicator, an egress quality of service indicator, and packet marking control information, and step 806 comprises selectively modifying one or more quality of service fields within the packet received from the switching fabric responsive to the packet marking control information. In one example, the multi-dimensional quality of service indicator further comprises a host quality of service indicator.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises utilizing the ingress quality of service indicator as an ingress queue select. In a second embodiment, the method further comprises utilizing the egress quality of service indicator as an egress queue select. In a third embodiment, the method further comprises utilizing the host quality of service indicator as an ingress queue select for a host.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment 900 of assigning a quality of service indicator to a packet. In this embodiment, step 902 comprises providing a plurality of quality of service indicators for a packet, each with an assigned priority, and step 904 comprises utilizing a configurable priority resolution scheme to select one of the plurality of quality of service indicators for assigning to the packet.

In one implementation, step 902 comprises mapping one or more fields of the packet into a quality of service indicator for the packet and an associated priority. In a second implementation, step 902 comprises performing a search to obtain a quality of service indicator for the packet and an associated priority. A third implementation comprises a combination of the foregoing two implementations.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment 1000 of a method of classifying a packet. In this embodiment, step 1002 comprises slicing some or all of a packet into portions and providing the portions in parallel over a first data path having a first width to a classification engine. Step 1004 comprises classifying, in the packet classification engine, the packet responsive to the packet portions received over the first data path and providing data representative of the packet classification. Step 1006 comprises associating the data representative of the packet classification with the packet to form an associated packet, and providing the associated packet over a second data path having a second width less than the first width.

In one implementation, the step of providing the packet portions over the first data path comprises providing each of the bits of some or all of the packet in parallel over the first data path to the classification engine.

In a second implementation, the associating step comprises multiplexing the data representative of the packet classification and some or all of the packet onto the second data path.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment 1100 of a method of modifying a packet. Step 1102 comprises providing some or all of a packet as packet portions and providing the portions in parallel over a first data path having a first width to a modification engine. Step 1104 comprises modifying, in the modification engine, one or more of the packet portions. Step 1106 comprises assembling a packet from the one or more modified and one or more unmodified packet portions, and providing the assembled packet over a second data path having a second width less than the first width.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart 1200 of an embodiment of a method of classifying a packet. Step 1202 comprises placing an identifier of a packet on a first FIFO buffer. Step 1204 comprises popping the identifier off the first FIFO buffer and placing it on a second FIFO buffer upon or after initiation of classification processing of the packet. Step 1206 comprises avoiding outputting the packet while an identifier of the same is placed on either the first or second FIFO buffers. Step 1208 comprises outputting the packet upon or after the identifier of the packet has been popped off the second FIFO buffer.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment 1300 of a method of maintaining packet statistics. Step 1302 comprises allocating a packet size determiner to a packet from a pool of packet size determiners. Step 1304 comprises using the packet size determiner to determine the size of the packet. Step 1306 comprises updating one or more packet statistics responsive to the determined size of the packet. Step 1308 comprises returning the packet size determiner to the pool upon or after the same has determined the size of the packet.

In one implementation, the packet size determiner is a counter that counts the size of the packet. In a second implementation, the method further comprises queuing one or more statistics update requests.

In one implementation example, the one or more packet statistics indicate the cumulative size of packets which have met specified processing conditions or hits, and step 1306 comprises incrementing a cumulative size statistic for a particular processing condition or hit by the determined size of the packet if the packet meets that particular processing condition or hit.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment 1400 of a method of classifying a packet.

Step 1402 comprises buffering a packet in a buffer upon or after ingress thereof. Step 1404 comprises classifying the packet and providing data representative of the packet classification. Step 1406 comprises associating the data representative of the packet classification with some or all of the packet as directly retrieved from the buffer to form a packet on an egress data path.

In one implementation, step 1406 comprises multiplexing the data representative of the packet classification onto a data path followed by some or all of the packet as directly retrieved from the buffer.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment 1500 of a method of modifying a packet.

Step 1502 comprises buffering the packet in a buffer upon ingress thereof. Step 1504 comprises modifying one or more portions of the packet. Step 1506 comprises assembling the one or more modified portions of the packet with one or more unmodified portions of the packet as retrieved directly from the buffer to form an assembled packet on an egress data path.

In one implementation, the method comprises providing a list indicating which portions of the assembled packet are to comprise modified portions of an ingress packet, and which portions are to comprise unmodified portions of the ingress packet, and step 1506 comprises assembling the assembled packet responsive to the list.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment 1600 of a method of processing a packet in a cascaded combination of multiple, replicated packet processing systems. In one implementation, each of systems is either a packet classification system or a packet modification system, and the processing which is performed by each system is either classification processing or modification processing as the case may be. Step 1602 comprises performing partial processing of a packet in a first of the replicated packet processing systems, and step 1604 comprises completing processing of the packet in a second of the replicated packet processing systems.

In one implementation, the second packet processing system is the last of a plurality of replicated packet processing systems, and the first packet processing system is either the first or next to last packet processing system in the plurality of packet processing systems, wherein partial processing of a packet is performed in the first replicated packet processing system, and processing is completed in the second replicated packet processing system.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment 1700 of a method of preventing re-ordering of packets in a packet processing system. Step 1702 comprises assigning a sequence number to a packet upon or after ingress thereof to the system. Step 1704 comprises processing the packet. Step 1706 comprises storing data representative of the packet in a buffer. Step 1708 comprises checking the buffer for an entry matching an expected next sequence number. Inquiry step 1710 comprises determining if a match is present. If so, steps 1712 and 1714 are performed. Step 1712 comprises outputting the corresponding packet, and step 1714 comprises updating the expected next sequence number to reflect the outputting of the packet. If not, the method loops back to step 1708, thus deferring outputting a packet if a match is not present.

In one implementation, steps 1708-1714 comprise maintaining an expected next sequence number for each of a plurality of output channels, checking the buffer for a match for each of the channels, outputting the corresponding packet on a channel if a match for that channel is present and updating the expected next sequence number for that channel, and deferring outputting a packet on a channel if a match for that channel is not present.

B. Pipelined Packet Processing System

An embodiment of a pipelined packet processing system 1800 is illustrated in FIG. 18. The system 1800 comprises a packet processor 1802 that maintains at least one pipeline having a predetermined number of slots, such as illustrated in FIG. 19, for placement of packet data. Three such slots are identified in FIG. 19 with numerals 1902 a, 1902 b, and 1902 c. The packet processor 1802 is configured to load each of one or more empty ones of the slots with available packet data, process each of one or more filled ones of the slots in sequence during a cycle of processing, and process each of the one or more filled ones of the slots for a predetermined number of cycles of processing.

In one embodiment, the processor 1802 is configured to process the data in a filled slot during a cycle by accessing one or more resources responsive to state data corresponding to the packet data stored in the slot, retrieving data from the one or more resources, and selectively updating the state data responsive to the data retrieved from the one or more resources.

Upon or after the data in the filled slot has undergone the predetermined number of cycles of processing, the processor 1802 is configured to unload the data, and derive packet classification or forwarding information from the state data for the packet. In one embodiment, the processor 1802 assigns the packet classification or forwarding information to the packet such as by pre-pending it to the packet.

In one application, the processor 1802 forms the packet classification engine 128 illustrated in FIG. 1, or the classification engine 310 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the packet classification or forwarding information derived by the processor 1802 is the AFH, illustrated in FIG. 2, which is pre-pended to the packet.

Turning back to FIGS. 18 and 19, in one implementation, the processor 1802 is configured to fill the one or more of the unfilled ones of the slots 1902 a, 1902 b, 1902 c during a loading mode of operation, and process one or more of the filled ones of the slots during a subsequent processing mode of operation that commences after the loading mode of operation has been completed.

In one embodiment, the processor 1802 is configured to fill the one or more of the unfilled slots with available packet data as obtained from a queue 1903. In one example, the processor 1802 is configured to bypass unfilled ones of the slots if and while the queue is empty. Thus, in FIG. 19, filled ones of the slots are identified with “P” while unfilled ones of the slots are identified with “X.” In one configuration, the packet data that is taken from queue 1903 and stored in a slot is an identifier of packet data as stored in FIFO buffer 1804. In one application, the queue 1903 is the queue 330, illustrated in FIG. 3, which maintains identifiers of packets that are awaiting classification, and the FIFO buffer 1804 is slicer 306.

In one embodiment, working state data is stored in the slots along with the corresponding packet data. In FIG. 19, this working state data is shown in phantom and identified with numerals 1904 a, 1904 b, 1904 c.

In one implementation example, the predetermined number of slots maintained by the processor 1802 is a programmable variable having a default value of 20 slots, and the predetermined number of processing cycles that each slot undergoes is also a programmable variable having a default value of 5 cycles. In this implementation example, identifiers of packets awaiting processing by processor 1802 are stored in the queue 1903. During a loading mode of operation, each of the slots 1902 a, 1902 b, 1902 c in the pipeline are sequentially loaded with packet identifiers popped off the queue 1903. The process of loading slots is identified in FIG. 19 with numeral 1906. During the loading mode of operation, if the queue 1903 is empty when a slot is presented for loading, the slot is bypassed and not loaded with packet data. This process continues until all the slots have either been filled or bypassed. At that point, the processor enters a processing mode of operation, during which each of the filled slots undergoes the predetermined number of cycles of processing.

Turning back to FIG. 18, the processor 1802 performs a cycle of processing on a slot by retrieving an entry from sequence control table (SCT) 1806. During the first cycle of processing of the data in the slot, the address of the command in the SCT is obtained from an entry in First Command CAM 1818. That entry is obtained from a search of the First Command CAM 1818 using a key derived from the results of parsing the packet as stored in Parser Result RAM 1820. During subsequent cycles of processing of the data in the slot, the address of the command is obtained from working state data stored in the slot itself alongside the corresponding packet data. In one implementation, this address is stored in the slot at the conclusion of the previous cycle of processing. In one example, this address is derived during the previous cycle of processing from the SCT command that is being executed during that cycle of processing. In one application, the Parser Result RAM 1820 is the Parser Result RAM 314 identified in FIG. 3.

Turning back to FIG. 18, in one implementation example, the command from SCT 1806 is processed by data path logic 1808 to form a key to CAM 1810. In this implementation example, a matching entry in the CAM 1810 is located. This matching entry identifies a corresponding entry in associated RAM (ARAM) 1812. The ARAM and/or SCT entries either provide working state data for the packet undergoing processing, or provide data from which that working state data is updated. In one application, CAM 1810 forms the CAM 142 illustrated in FIG. 1, and ARAM 1812 forms the ARAM 144 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The steps of updating the working state information for a packet are reflected in FIG. 19. In particular, once a slot is loaded with packet data as identified with numeral 1906, in one implementation example, the slot conceptually moves through the pipeline in a counter-clockwise fashion. At the point identified with numeral 1908, an access is made to SCT 1806 for the command to be executed. As discussed, during the first cycle of processing of a slot, the address of this first command is obtained from First Command CAM 1818. During subsequent cycles of processing, the address of the command is obtained from the working state for the packet stored in the slot alongside the packet.

At the point identified with numeral 1910, the SCT command resulting from this access is obtained. At the point identified with numeral 1912, this command is processed by data path logic 1808 to result in a CAM key. At the point identified with numeral 1914, an access is made to CAM 1810 using this key. Because of the latency of this CAM, the result of this access is not available until the point identified with numeral 1916. At the point identified with numeral 1918, the CAM entry resulting from this access is used to access a corresponding entry in ARAM 1812. At the point identified with numeral 1920, the result of this access is available. At the point identified with numeral 1922, data resulting from the ARAM access and/or the SCT command data is resolved with the current working state data for the packet. For priority-based items, an element of the ARAM/SCT data supersedes an existing element of state data if it has a higher priority. For non-priority based items, an element of the ARAM/SCT data may supersede an existing element of state data without regard to priority.

In one embodiment, as discussed, the working state data for a packet is stored in the corresponding slot alongside the packet data. In a second embodiment, an identifier of the working state data as stored in a buffer is stored in the corresponding slot along with the packet data.

In one embodiment, the working state data for a packet is control data, such as, for example, pipeline management information, packet process state data, or static packet information. In a second embodiment, the working state data for a packet is packet classification or forwarding information for the packet such as, for example, priority-based packet classification/forwarding information or non-priority-based packet classification/forwarding information. In a third embodiment, the working state data for the packet is statistical information relating to the packet. In a fourth embodiment, the working state data for a packet is any combination of the foregoing.

In one implementation example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the working state data maintained for a packet comprises control data 2002, AFH data 2004, and statistical information 2006. In this implementation example, the working state data is stored in the slot along with an identifier of the packet as stored in a buffer (such as slicer 306 in FIG. 3). In one configuration, the control data 2002 comprises:

-   -   Pipeline management data, including:     -   host/packet indicator, indicating whether the slot is occupied         by packet data or data from a CPU host.     -   cycle count, the number of cycles of processing data in the slot         has undergone to date.     -   first/done indicators, indicating respectively whether the         current cycle of processing is the first cycle for the data in         the slot, and whether the slot has completed all required cycles         of processing.     -   Packet process state data, including:     -   Page selector, the page selector applicable to the current         processing cycle.     -   VLAN selector, the VLAN selector applicable to the current         processing cycle.     -   IP selector, the IP header selector applicable to the current         processing cycle.     -   ARAM VLAN flag, indicating whether the working VLAN for the         packet is to be taken from the ARAM entry.     -   SCT index, identifying the address of the next SCT command to be         executed.     -   Static packet information, including:     -   Packet length.     -   Packet pointer, a pointer to the packet as stored in a buffer.     -   Interface type, e.g., EtherNet or POS.     -   Ingress port number, an identifier of the ingress port of the         packet.     -   Port State flag, a flag indicating whether the Port State Table         is being used for this processor slot.     -   Debug management information.

In one configuration, the AFH data 2004 comprises:

-   -   Priority based information, including:     -   PTI.     -   TXMI.     -   IQoS, EQoS, CQoS.     -   Egress Mark data.     -   Non-priority based information, including the following “sticky”         flags that, once set, remain set:     -   Learn flag, a flag that, if asserted, directs a switch-side         device to forward a copy of the packet to the host for learn         processing.     -   Redirect flag, a flag that, if asserted, directs a switch-side         device to forward a copy of the packet to the host for redirect         processing.     -   Ingress Mirror flag, a flag that, if asserted, directs a         switch-side device to forward a copy of the packet to a         designated ingress mirror port on the switch.     -   Egress Mirror flag, a flag that, if asserted, directs a         switch-side device to forward a copy of the packet to a         designated mirror FIFO on the switch.     -   Random Early Drop flag, a flag that, if asserted, increases the         priority of the packet for dropping.     -   Jumbo check flag, a flag that, if asserted, directs a device         encountering the packet to perform a Jumbo-allowed check.

In one configuration, the statistical data comprises:

-   -   Matrix mode statistics, whereby a multi-dimensional statistic         for a packet is accumulated over each of the processing cycles         undertaken by the packet.

In one embodiment, the pipeline of FIG. 19 comprises three separate but related pipelines, identified with numerals 2102, 2104, 2106 in FIG. 21, that are respectively used to update the control, AFH, and statistical portions of the working state data.

FIG. 22 illustrates an implementation example of the control data portion of the state data corresponding to a packet, FIG. 23 is an implementation example of the AFH portion of the state data corresponding to a packet, and FIG. 24 is the statistics data portion of the state data corresponding to a packet. The functions of the various bits and fields illustrated in FIG. 22 are as follows:

-   -   BUSY—a bit that, if asserted, indicates the pipeline slot is         processing a packet.     -   CPU—a bit that, if asserted, indicates the pipeline slot is         processing a CPU or host access.     -   FIRST—a bit that, if asserted, indicates the current cycle is         the first processing cycle for the packet.     -   DONE PEND—a bit that, if asserted, indicates that the packet has         undergone all required cycles of processing and that an AFH         assignment to the packet is pending.     -   PTR—a pointer or reference handle to the packet in a receive         FIFO.     -   LEN—packet length up to 128 bytes total     -   IF TYPE —ingress interface type; 0=Ethernet, 1=POS.     -   IF PST ACTIVE—an indicator of whether the Port State Table is         active during this processor cycle.     -   PORT—the ingress port of the packet being processed.     -   VLAN—the working VLAN for the current processing cycle.     -   C1—the C1 context pointer for the current processing cycle.     -   C2—the C2 context pointer for the current processing cycle.     -   C3—the C3 context pointer for the current processing cycle.     -   C4—the C4 context pointer for the current processing cycle.     -   C5—the C5 context pointer for the current processing cycle.     -   C6—the C6 context pointer for the current processing cycle.     -   LKUP COUNT—a count of the number of cycles of processing         undertaken to date for the packet.     -   SCT—the SCT index for the current processing cycle.     -   PAGE SEL—the page selector for the current processing cycle.     -   VLAN SEL—the VLAN selector for the current processing cycle.     -   L3 SEL—the L3 Header selector for the current processing cycle.     -   VLAN ARAM—an indicator that the working VLAN for the current         processing cycle was derived from an ARAM entry.     -   DEBUG ACTIVE—a flag that, if asserted, indicates that a Debug         Process is active.     -   DEBUG LAST SLOT—an indicator to the Debug Process that the         current slot is the last slot in the pipeline.     -   DEBUG LAST LKUP—an indicator to the Debug Process that the         current processing cycle is the last processing cycle in the         pipeline.     -   DEBUG VALID—Debug Valid bits to control debug triggering.

The functions of the bits and fields illustrated in FIG. 23 are as follows:

-   -   PTI—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   TXMI—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   EQoS—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   IQoS—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   CQoS—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   CPU Copy—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, set         when a QoS source returns a valid CPU QoS value.     -   EMRK SEL—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   PERR KILL—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   LAI—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   LAI KEEP—an indicator whether the LAI was supplied by ARAM.     -   EMIRROR—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this         flag is set if the ARAM EMirror flag is set or if an Egress QoS         is returned with a special Mirror Copy encode value.     -   IMIRROR—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this         flag is set if either the ARAM IMirror or VPST Mirror flags are         set.     -   ROUTE—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this flag         is set when any SCT entry in the lookup sequence for the packet         requests that it be set.     -   LEARN—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this flag         may be set when an SCT-enabled comparison indicates that the         ingress port does not equal the least significant bits of the         PTI obtained from a matching CAM entry, or that the CAM search         did not result in a match (also subject to VPST Learn enable         control).     -   REDIRECT—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this         flag is set when an SCT-enabled comparison determines that the         ingress and egress (ARAM-supplied) VLANs are equal.     -   JUMBO—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this flag         is set when any SCT entry in the lookup sequence for the packet         requests that it be set.     -   DON'T FRAG—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this         flag is always set for IPv6 processing, and set for IPv4         processing if the Don't Fragment bit in the IPv4 header is set.         In one example, unlike the other flags in this table, which are         all persistent, i.e. once set, remain set, this flag is         pseudo-persistent, i.e., once set, normally remains set, but may         be overwritten in limited circumstances. For example, the bit         may be initially set based on the processing of an outer IP         header, but then is updated (through a SCT request) based on the         processing of an inner UDP header.     -   RED—see discussion of FIG. 2. In one implementation, this flag         is set when a QoS source returns this flag set.     -   IF TYPE —see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   PTI PRI—current PTI priority.     -   TXMI PRI—current TXMI priority.     -   EQoS PRI—current EQoS priority.     -   IQoS PRI—current IQoS priority.     -   CQoS PRI—current CQoS priority.     -   EMS/EMM PRI—current Egress Mark Select/Mask priority.     -   SSAMPLE BIN—Statistical Sample bin.     -   SAMPLE ARAM—indicator that Statistical Sample bin is supplied by         ARAM.

The functions of the bits and fields illustrated in FIG. 24 are explained in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,573.

In one embodiment, the data of FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 is consolidated with other data to form the process data illustrated in FIG. 25. In particular, the control data of FIG. 22 forms the 116 bit CONTROL SET referred to in FIG. 25; the AFH data of FIG. 23 forms the 112 bit AFH SET referred to in FIG. 25; and the statistics data of FIG. 24 forms the 56 bit STATS SET referred to in FIG. 25. This process data, which includes a pointer to the corresponding packet, forms the state data that is stored in a slot. The functions of the other fields referred to in FIG. 25 are as follows:

-   -   CID—an identifier of the CAM key as used in the current         processing cycle.     -   RID—a Router identifier as obtained from the PST or VST during         the current processing cycle.     -   PORT—the ingress port of the packet being processed.     -   CONSTANT—the CONSTANT field from the SCT used in the current         processing cycle.     -   RT0-RT3 RESULTS—the results, respectively, of Reduction Tables         0-3 during the current processing cycle.     -   IP PROTOCOL—the IP protocol field of the IP Header currently         being processed.     -   ARAM DATA—the ARAM entry data from the previous processing         cycle.         This process data forms a 128 byte, nibble addressable data         structure that is represented in FIGS. 26A-26B. This process         data is to be contrasted with a 128 bytes nibble addressable         data structure, representing the first 128 bytes of packet data,         which is also maintained. This data structure is illustrated in         FIG. 27.

In one embodiment, the first cycle of processing is preceded by the following initialization steps of the CONTROL SET data:

-   -   current SCT index loaded with initial SCT index as obtained from         the First Command CAM 1808.     -   current PAGE SEL set to 0 (representing Page 0).     -   current VLAN SEL set to 0 (representing the only or outer VLAN         of Page 0).     -   current VLAN set to Page 0, VLAN0 (or in the case of a routed         POS service, the current VLAN is set to the VLAN supplied by the         First Command CAM 1818).     -   current context pointer set (C1-C6) loaded with Page 0 context         pointers.     -   current L3 SEL set to 0 (representing the only or outer L3         Header of Page 0).     -   current IP control set (consisting of Fragment Type,         Don't_Fragment, Protocol, Next Header, and Exception Control         values) to Page 0 L3 0 (representing the only or outer Header of         Page 0).     -   LKUP COUNT reset to 0 (if counting upwards) or predetermined         number of cycles per packet (if counting down).

All the data in the AFH SET is initialized to 0. The data in the STATISTICS SET is initialized to values specified in the PST/VST table.

In one embodiment, a cycle of processing comprises the following steps:

-   -   fetch SCT entry based on current SCT index value.     -   form CAM key (using data path logic 1808).     -   execute CAM search.     -   select active Exception Handler, as described in U.S. patent         application Ser. No. 10/835,252.     -   execute QoS mapping operations, using PST, VST and QoS Map         tables as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.         10/835,532.     -   execute VPST access, as described in U.S. patent application         Ser. No. 10/835,271.     -   if CAM hit, fetch corresponding ARAM entry.     -   selectively update process and statistics data based on SCT         and/or ARAM entry data (as well as QoS mapping operations, VPST         access, and exception handling operations).     -   unload operation if last cycle of processing for packet.

In one example, CAM 1810 is organized so that higher priority entries precede lower priority entries. If there are multiple matches or hits with the CAM key, the first such match or hit is selected, consistent with the higher priority of this entry compared to the other entries.

In one implementation example, the format of a SCT entry is as illustrated in FIGS. 28A-28C. The following elements of the SCT entry format of FIGS. 28A-28C are relevant to this discussion:

-   -   NEXT SCT HIT—the index of the next SCT command assuming a CAM         hit during this processing cycle.     -   NEXT SCT MISS—the index of the next SCT command assuming a CAM         miss during this processing cycle.     -   PTI PRIORITY—the priority of the PTI during this processing         cycle     -   TXMI PRIORITY—the priority of the TXMI during this processing         cycle.     -   EQoS PRIORITY—the priority of the ARAM-supplied EQoS field         during this processing cycle.     -   IQoS PRIORITY—the priority of the ARAM-supplied IQoS field         during this processing cycle.     -   CQoS PRIORITY—the priority of the ARAM-supplied CQoS field         during this processing cycle.     -   LEARN OP—enable Learn processing operation     -   ROUTE OP—set the Unicast Route flag during the current         processing cycle.     -   DON'T FRAG OP—enable Don't Frag processing operation during the         current processing cycle.     -   JUMBO OP—enable a Jumbo processing operation during the current         processing cycle.     -   CAM KEY SEL NIBBLE 0-17—Eighteen CAM Key Selection Fields,         discussed below.

In one implementation, the CAM key used to search through CAM 1810 during a processing cycle is derived by the data path logic 1808 of FIG. 18 from the process and packet data for that processing cycle, as well as the current SCT entry. In FIG. 18, the packet and process data is provided to the data path logic 1808 over one or more signal lines 1814, and selection data, used to narrow the combined 256 bytes of data represented by this process and packet data down to the desired size of the CAM key, is provided to the data path logic 1808 from the current SCT entry over one or more signal lines 1816.

FIG. 29 illustrates one example 2900 of the data path logic 1808. In this particular example, the data path logic produces a 72 bit CAM key 2902 that comprises 18 4-bit nibbles. Each of the nibbles is produced by a corresponding 4-bit wide multiplexor. Thus, in FIG. 29, nibble 0 of CAM key 2902 is produced by multiplexor 2904 a, while nibble 17 of CAM key 2902 is produced by multiplexor 2904 b. Each of these multiplexors receives the same inputs in the same order, 512 4-bit nibbles, 256 nibbles representing the process data, and 256 nibbles representing the packet data. Each of these multiplexors receives its own 12-bit selection field from the current SCT entry. Thus, multiplexor 2904 a receives the 12-bit SELECT₀ field, referred to in FIG. 28 as CAM KEY SEL NIBBLE 0, while multiplexor 2904 b receives the 12-bit SELECT₁₇ field, referred to in FIG. 28 as CAM KEY SEL NIBBLE 17. There are a total of 18 selection fields represented in FIG. 28, which may be referred to respectively as CAM KEY SEL NIBBLE 0-17, each of which is assigned its own multiplexor in the implementation of data path logic illustrated in FIG. 29.

FIG. 30 illustrates the format of each of these 12-bit selection fields. The functions performed by the bits and fields in this format are as follows:

-   -   NIBBLE SELECT—selects one of the two nibbles in the selected         byte.     -   BYTE SELECT—selects one of 128 bytes in the selected data         structure (either process or packet data).     -   PROCESS PACKET DATA SELECT—selects either the process or packet         data structures.     -   CONTEXT SELECT—must be 0 if the process data structure is         selected; otherwise, selects one of seven packet contexts as         follows:     -   0—Context 0—beginning of packet.     -   1—Context 1—MAC Header Start.     -   2—Context 2—Encapsulation/EtherType Start.     -   3—Context 3—MPLS Start.     -   4—Context 4—L3 Outer Start.     -   5—Context 5—L3 Inner Start.     -   6—Contect 6—L4 Start.     -   7—Reserved.         In a second example, a 144 bit CAM key is formed using the         structure of FIG. 29 from two successive retrievals of SCT         entries over two successive half cycles. The selection fields         from the two successive SCT entries are successively input to         the multiplexors of FIG. 29 with the same process and packet         data as inputs. Through this process, two 72 data structures are         formed that are concatenated to form the 144 bit CAM key. Other         examples are possible, so nothing in this or the previous         example should be taken as limiting. FIG. 31 illustrates several         possible examples of 72 bit keys.

Once formed, the CAM key is used to search through CAM 1810. If there is a hit, the process yields an ARAM entry. In one implementation, the format of an ARAM entry is as illustrated in FIGS. 32A-32B.

The following elements of the ARAM entry format of FIGS. 32A-32B are relevant to this discussion:

-   -   PTI—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   TXMI—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   EQoS—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   IQoS—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   CQoS—see discussion of FIG. 2.     -   PTI VALID—indicates whether ARAM-supplied PTI field is valid.     -   TXMI VALID—indicates whether ARAM-supplied TXMI field is valid.     -   EQoS VALID—indicates whether ARAM-supplied EQoS field is valid.     -   IQoS VALID—indicates whether ARAM-supplied IQoS field is valid.     -   CQoS VALID—indicates whether ARAM-supplied CQoS field is valid.     -   RED—if asserted, sets the AFH RED flag.     -   Next SCT—the next SCT address or index (depending on state of         NEXT SCT VALID flag)     -   NEXT SCT VALID—a flag that, if asserted, indicates the Next SCT         field is valid.     -   VLAN ID—replaces the working VLAN for the packet if REPLACE VLAN         flag asserted (see below).     -   CONT UPDATE—a 4 bit field that, if non-zero, selects one of 15         context update registers for updating the packet context for the         current processing cycle.     -   EMIRROR—when asserted, selects egress mirroring.     -   IMIRROR—when asserted, selects ingress mirroring.     -   REPLACE VLAN—when asserted, specifies that the VLAN represented         by the VLAN ID field becomes the next working VLAN for the         packet.

In one embodiment, the current SCT and/or ARAM entries yield data that is used to selectively update the state data for the slot. Other resources may be accessed as well for the purpose of retrieving data for use in updating the current state data as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,576.

In one implementation example, the state data for a slot is the process data illustrated in FIG. 25. In one implementation, this process data is selectively updated at the conclusion of a processing cycle in the following order: CONTROL SET, AFH SET, and STATS SET.

The CONTROL SET data is updated in part based on the ARAM field CONT UPDATE. As illustrated in FIG. 33, this field, if non-zero, is used to select one of fifteen registers is register bank 3302. A first predetermined bit 3304 a in the selected register 3303 forms the updated value of PAGE SEL. A second predetermined bit 3304 b in the selected register 3303 forms the updated value of VLAN SEL. A third predetermined bit 3304 c in the selected register 3303 forms the updated value of L3 SEL. In one embodiment, one or more selected bits in the selected register 3303, such as the bit identified with numeral 3304 d, may be used to selectively update specific context pointers to handle, for example, the situation in which the parser did not recognize the corresponding protocol and thus inaccurately determined the context pointer. The selected bit may be used to replace the selected context pointer with an updated value in this embodiment.

The updated PAGE SEL, VLAN SEL, and L3 SEL values form part of the updated state data for the current slot, but they are used to update other portions of this state data, such as the context pointers C1-C6, and the working VLAN. An embodiment of multiplexing logic for updating this other state data, which may be part of processor 1802 or data path logic 1808, is illustrated in FIG. 34. Numeral 3402 a identifies page 0 context information, while numeral 3404 b identifies page 1 context information. The page 0 context information comprises the C1-C6 context pointers, up to two VLANs, VLAN0 and VLAN1, and up to two nested L3 IP Headers, IPHDR0 and IPHDR1. Similarly, the page 1 context information comprises the C1-C6 context pointers, up to two VLANs, VLAN0 and VLAN1, and up to two nested L3 IP Headers, IPHDR0 and IPHDR1.

Multiplexor 3404 selects between these two groupings of information based on the value of PAGE SEL. If two L3 IP headers are present in the selected page, multiplexor 3410 selects between these two headers based in the value of L3 SEL. Similarly, if two VLANs are present in the selected page, multiplexor 3406 selects between these two VLANs based on the value of VLAN SEL. And multiplexor 3408 selects between the VLAN selected by multiplexor 3406 and any ARAM-supplied VLAN based on the value of REPLACE VLAN (from the ARAM entry).

The output of multiplexor 3408 forms the updated working VLAN in the CONTROL SET portion of the process data. Similarly, the selected C1-C6 context pointers output by multiplexor 3404, identified with numeral 3412, form the updated C1-C6 context pointers in the CONTROL SET portion of the process data, except that the C3 context pointer may be modified if there are nested L3 headers in the selected page and the inner header is selected by multiplexor 3410 as the current L3 header. In that case, the C3 context pointer is updated to pointer to the inner L3 header.

The value of LKUP COUNT in the CONTROL SET portion of the process data is incremented by one. In one embodiment, the SCT field in this CONTROL SET, representing the index of the next SCT entry, is updated using the logic illustrated in FIG. 35, which may be part of the processor 1802 or the data path logic 1808. As illustrated, multiplexor 3502 selects between the NEXT SCT HIT and NEXT SCT MISS values provided by the current SCT entry based on HIT, an indicator of whether there was a CAM hit or not. If a CAM hit occurred, NEXT SCT HIT is selected. If a CAM miss occurred, NEXT SCT MISS is selected.

Multiplexor 3504 selects between the selected SCT-supplied next SCT index output by multiplexor 3502 and the ARAM-supplied next SCT index (NEXT SCT) based on the logical ANDing of HIT and the ARAM-supplied NEXT SCT VALID field. In other words, if there was a CAM hit and the ARAM-supplied next SCT index is valid, the ARAM-supplied next SCT index (NEXT SCT) is selected. Otherwise, the selected SCT-supplied next SCT index (output by multiplexor 3504) is selected. The selected value output by multiplexor 3504 forms the SCT field in the CONTROL SET portion of the process data.

The updating of the AFH SET portion of the process data will now be described. FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment in which logic 3602 updates priority-based values within this AFH SET, such as PTI, IQoS, EQoS, CQoS, EMS/EMM, TXMI, and LAI. This logic, which may either be part of processor 1802 or data path logic 1808, is configured to updates the current value of a priority-based element 3604, such as PTI or TXMI, if two conditions are met. First, if the next potential value 3606 of this element is valid. Second, if the priority 3608 of the next potential value exceeds the priority 3610 of the current value 3604. If these two conditions are met, the next potential value 3606 replaces the current value 3604 in the state data, and the priority 3608 of the next potential value replaces the priority 3610 in the state data.

In one implementation, the specific manner of updating several elements of the AFH SET proceeds as follows:

-   -   PTI—the possible sources of the next PTI field include an ARAM         entry, if any, corresponding to a CAM hit, and one or more of         the Exception Handlers. If there is a tie, the first value is         used. The ARAM-supplied PTI value has a priority determined by         the current SCT entry, and the priority of any Exception Handler         value is supplied by the Exception Handler. The next PTI is         taken to be the PTI value from any of these sources that has the         highest priority that exceeds the current priority. If there is         no CAM hit, a default PTI value is obtained from one or more of         the Exception Handlers. This default value only supplants the         current PTI if its priority exceeds that of the current PTI.     -   IQoS—the possible sources of the next IQoS field include any of         .lp, MPLS, or ToS QoS mapping (if enabled by the current SCT         entry), the PST (or VST), and the current ARAM entry (assuming a         CAM hit).

The SCT supplies the priority associated with the ARAM-supplied IQoS. A 4-bit PST (or VST) resident field is used to select a QoS Priority control structure from 16 possible structures. This structure indicates the priority for the PST, VST, .lp, MPSL, and ToS IQoS values. The next IQoS value is taken to be the IQoS value from any of these sources that has the highest priority that exceeds the current priority. If there is a tie, the first value is used. In the case of MPLS parallel label processing, as described herein, parallel IQoS mappings are performed for each of the MPLS labels, and an ARAM supplied field (the MPLS field) is used to select the next IQoS value from these parallel operations.

-   -   EQoS—EQoS updating is performed the same way as IQoS, but using         an independent set of resources. In one mode of operation, the         least significant bits of the EQoS value encodes the following         egress side decisions:     -   None.     -   Pre-emptive Kill.     -   Normal Kill.     -   Thermonuclear Kill.     -   Egress Mirror Copy.     -   Pre-emptive Intercept (to CPU or host).     -   Normal Intercept (to CPU).     -   CQoS—CQoS updating is performed the same way as IQoS, but using         an independent set of resources. The assertion of a CQoS valid         flag for any resource that wins the priority context causes a         copy of the packet to be sent to the CPU regardless of the         setting of any CPU-Copy or CPU_Alert flags.     -   EMS/EMM—EMS/EMM updating is performed the same way as IQoS, but         using an independent set of resources.     -   TXMI—assuming a CAM hit, the SCT-supplied priority of the         ARAM-supplied TXMI value is compared with the current priority,         and if it exceeds the current priority, the ARAM-supplied TXMI         value becomes the next TXMI value.

LAI—the next LAI may be supplied by two possible methods. First, if the ARAM-supplied LAI VALID field is asserted, the next LAI value is taken to be the value of the ARAM-supplied LAI field. Second, the next LAI value may be accumulated over one or more of the processing cycles using a hash-based lookup scheme as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,566.

The process of updating values in the STATS SET portion of the process data, and the process of updating the statistics data structures as maintained in the Statistics RAM 146 at the end of a processing cycle is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/834,573.

FIG. 37 illustrates one embodiment 3700 of a method of performing pipelined processing of one or more packets in a pipeline having a predetermined number of slots for placement of packet data. The method comprises step 3702, loading each of one or more empty ones of the slots of the pipeline with available packet data. The method further comprises step 3704, processing the data in each of one or more filled ones of the slots in sequence during a cycle of processing, and also processing the data in each of one or more filled ones of the slots for a predetermined number of cycles of processing, occurs. The method further comprises step 3706, unloading the data in each of one or more filled ones of the slots upon or after the data in the filled slot has undergone the predetermined number of cycles of processing, and deriving classification or forwarding information for the packet from related state information for the packet.

In one embodiment, the predetermined number of slots in the pipeline is fixed. In another embodiment, it is a programmed variable. In one implementation, the step of loading the pipeline comprises filling one or more unfilled ones of the slots with packet data as obtained from a queue. In one example, the step further comprises bypassing one or more unfilled ones of the slots if and while the queue is empty.

In one implementation example, the packet data loaded into a slot is an identifier of the packet as stored in a buffer. In another implementation example, the state data relating to a packet is stored in a slot along with the packet data corresponding to the packet.

In one configuration, the related state data for a packet is control data, such as pipeline management data, or packet process state data. In one example, the control data is static packet information. In another example, the related state data is packet classification/forwarding information, such as priority-based packet classification/forwarding information or non-priority-based packet classification/forwarding information. The related state data may also comprise one or more “sticky” flags relating to the packet, or statistical information relating to the packet, including statistical information relating to each of a plurality of processing cycles performed on the corresponding packet data.

FIG. 38 illustrates an embodiment 3800 of a method of processing the data in a filled slot of the pipeline during a processing cycle. As illustrated, in this embodiment, the method comprises step 3802, accessing one or more resources responsive to current working state data corresponding to the slot. The method also comprises step 3804, retrieving data from one or more of the resources. In one implementation, this step comprises retrieving an SCT entry using an SCT index as obtained from the working state data, deriving a CAM key from this entry, using this CAM key to perform a CAM search. If the search results in a hit, a corresponding ARAM entry is retrieved. The data in the SCT and/or ARAM entries form the data retrieved in step 3804. In one implementation, data from other resources besides the SCT and ARAM are retrieved in this step, including but not limited to QoS mapping tables, PST, VST or VPST tables, Exception Handlers, etc.

The method further comprises step 3806, selectively updating the working state data responsive to the data retrieved in step 3804.

C. System for Deriving Quality of Service Indicator

FIG. 39 illustrates an embodiment 3900 of a system for deriving a quality of service indicator for a packet. In this embodiment, a register 3906 holds a control element. A first resource 3908 a is configured to derive a first candidate quality of service indicator for the packet from data 3902 representative of at least a portion of the packet, data 3904 representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or a combination of the data 3902 and data 3904.

A second resource 3908 b is configured to derive a second candidate quality of service indicator for the packet from data 3902 representative of at least a portion of the packet, data 3904 representative of the state of the packet, or a combination of the data 3902 and data 3904. The second resource 3908 b is configured to derive the second candidate quality of service indicator responsive to at least a portion of the control element held in the register 3906.

Resolution logic 3910 is configured to derive a quality of service indicator 3914 for the packet from the first and second candidate quality of service indicators 3912 a, 3912 b for the packet as derived by the first and second resources 3908 a, 3908 b.

In one implementation, the system further comprises a memory 3916, and the control element held in the register 3906 is selected from a plurality of control elements 3918 a, 3918 b, 3918 c held in the memory 3916. In one implementation example, the plurality of control elements is a sequence of control elements, such as but not limited to a sequence of software commands or instructions that define a processing or program sequence for the packet.

In one embodiment, the first resource 3908 a comprises logic for mapping the data 3902 representative of at least a portion of the packet, the data 3904 representative of at least a portion of state of the packet, or the combination of the data 3902 and data 3904, into the first candidate quality of service indicator through a lookup table or the like.

In one embodiment, the second resource 3908 b comprises logic for mapping the data 3902 representative of at least a portion of the packet, the data 3904 representative of the state of the packet, or the combination of the data 3902 and 3904, into the second candidate quality of service indicator responsive to at least a portion of the control element. In one implementation, the logic comprises a plurality of lookup tables, and one of these lookup tables is selected responsive to a predetermined field of the control element held in the register 3906 that specifies a mapping mode selected from a plurality of possible mapping modes.

In a second embodiment, the second resource 3908 b comprises logic for searching for a corresponding quality of service indicator using a key derived from data 3902 representative of at least a portion of the packet, data 3904 representative of the state of the packet, or a combination of the two, responsive to at least a portion of the control element held in the register 3906. In one implementation, one or more fields of this control element selects a subset of the combination of the data 3902 and the data 3904, and this subset forms a key that is used to search a CAM for a corresponding entry, i.e., an entry having a tag portion that matches the value of the key. If such an entry is found, the content portion of the corresponding entry either forms the key, or forms the address of the key as held in another memory, e.g., ARAM.

In one embodiment, the resolution logic 3910 comprises a packet processor. In one implementation, the first resource 3908 a is configured to derive a first priority for the first candidate quality of service indicator, the second resource 3908 b is configured to derive a second priority for the second candidate quality of service indicator, and the packet processor is configured to derive a quality of service indicator for the packet from the first and second candidate quality of service indicators, and the first and second priorities.

In one example, the packet processor maintains a current quality of service indicator and priority for the packet, and is configured to replace the current quality of service indicator for the packet with the first candidate quality of service indicator if the priority of the first candidate quality of service indicator exceeds that of the current quality of service indicator and that of the second candidate quality of service indicator. In this example, the packet processor is also configured to replace the current quality of service indicator for the packet with the second candidate quality of service indicator if the priority of the second candidate quality of service indicator exceeds that of the current quality of service indicator for the packet and that of the first candidate quality of service indicator.

In one example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is an egress quality of service indicator. In a second example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is an ingress quality of service indicator. In a third example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is a host quality of service indicator. In a fourth example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is a multi-dimensional quality of service indicator comprising ingress, egress, and host quality of service indicator components.

In one embodiment, the system comprises three or more resources, 3908 a, 3908 b, 3908 c, each configured to derive a candidate quality of service indicator for the packet, wherein the resolution logic 3910 is configured to derive the quality of service indicator for the packet from the candidate quality of service indicators derived by the three or more resources. The details of this third resource 3908 c are not important to this embodiment; one of skill in the art would appreciate that this third resource may be configured to provide a candidate quality of service indicator through mapping, searching, or a combination of mapping or search. Furthermore, one of skill in the art would appreciate that this third resource may provide a candidate quality of service indicator responsive to control information (such as from the control element held in the register 3906) or in the absence of such control information. Other examples are possible, so nothing in the foregoing should be taken as limiting.

FIG. 40 illustrates an implementation example 4000 of a system for deriving a quality of service indicator for a packet. In this implementation, the quality of service indicator is multi-dimensional, and has four components. The first component, IQoS, is an ingress quality of service indicator, the second, EQoS, the third, CQoS, a host quality of service indicator, and the fourth, EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK, together form an indicator of a maskable, quality of service related, egress marking operation to be performed on the packet.

In this example, the system provides data 4002 representative of a packet and data 4004 representative of the working state of the packet. In this example, the data 4002 is the parsed data representative of the packet as stored in Parser Result RAM 1820 in FIG. 18, and the state data 4004 is the data illustrated in FIGS. 22-25. The control element held in the register in this example is the SCT entry (illustrated in FIG. 28) for the current processing slot.

VLAN state table 4008 (VST) comprises a first resource that maps the current VLAN identifier for the packet (the VLAN field illustrated in FIG. 22) into a first candidate quality of service indicator 4010. FIG. 41A illustrates the format of one example of the VST, and FIG. 41B illustrates the format of a VST entry in this example. In FIG. 41B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator.

The QoS SEG field, identified with numeral 4012 in FIG. 40, specifies one of sixteen possible QoS segment values for the packet. This QoS segment value forms an input to QoS priority table 4014. An example of the format of this table and an example of the format of an entry in this table are discussed below. Suffice it to say here that in this example this table provides, with one exception, a priority value 4016 for each of the candidate quality of service indicators produced by the various resources in the system. The one exception is that the priority for the CAM-based, ARAM-supplied candidate quality of service indicators is provided by the current SCT entry (FIG. 28). More specifically, the EQoS PRIORITY, IQoS PRIORITY, and Coos PRIORITY fields provide the priority, respectively, for the CAM-based, ARAM-supplied EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS indicators.

In FIG. 40, QoS mapping tables 4018 form a second resource for deriving a candidate quality of service indicator. In this example, four QoS mapping tables are provided, the Vpri QoS mapping table, the MPLS Exp QoS mapping table, the IP v4 ToS QoS mapping table, and the IP v6 ToS QoS mapping table. Assuming the QoS mapping mode is activated (determined by the setting of the SCT QoS MAP OP control bit illustrated in FIG. 28), one of these tables is selected using the QoS MAP field (FIG. 28) of the SCT entry for the current processing slot (the QoS MAP field is illustrated in FIG. 40 with numeral 4020). The value of this field is provided as an input to logic implementing the QoS mapping tables over one or more signal lines 4022. A value of 0 selects the Vpri QoS table, a value of 1, the MPLS Exp table, a value of 2, the IP v4 ToS table, and a value of 3, the IP v6 ToS table.

The format of one example of the Vpri QoS mapping table is illustrated in FIG. 42A. An address to this table is formed from the QoS segment value 4012 and the most significant bits of the Vpri (.lp) field of the packet. Each entry in the table contains two QoS entries. The least significant bit of the Vpri (.lp) field selects one of the two as the active entry.

The format of one example of a Vpri, QoS table entry is illustrated in FIG. 42B. As in FIG. 41B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator.

The format of one example of the MPLS Exp QoS mapping table is illustrated in FIG. 43A. An address to this table is formed from the QoS segment value 4012 and the most significant bits of the MPLS Exp (CoS) field of the packet (extracted from the packet by appropriate settings of the QoS MAP SEL fields illustrated in FIG. 28). Each entry in the table contains two QoS entries. The least significant bit of the MPLS Exp (CoS) field selects one of the two as the active entry.

The format of one example of a MPLS Exp QoS table entry is illustrated in FIG. 43B. As in FIG. 42B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator.

The format of one example of the IP v4 ToS QoS mapping table is illustrated in FIG. 44A. An address to this table is formed from the QoS segment value 4012 and the most significant bits of the IP v4 ToS field of the packet (extracted from the packet through suitable settings of the QoS MAP SEL fields illustrated in FIG. 28). Each entry in the table contains two QoS entries. The least significant bit of the IP v4 ToS field selects one of the two as the active entry.

The format of one example of an IP v4 QoS table entry is illustrated in FIG. 44B. As in FIG. 43B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator.

The format of one example of the IP v6 ToS QoS mapping table is illustrated in FIG. 45A. An address to this table is formed from the QoS segment value 4012 and the most significant bits of the IPv6 Traffic Class, or Ipv6 Flow Label based QoS fields of the packet (extracted from the packet through suitable settings of the QoS MAP SEL fields illustrated in FIG. 28). Each entry in the table contains two QoS entries. The least significant bit of the IP v6 field selects one of the two as the active entry.

The format of one example of an IP v6 QoS table entry is illustrated in FIG. 45B. As in FIG. 44B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator.

In one implementation, only one of these four tables is selected at a time. The candidate quality of service indicator as produced by the selected table is output on the one or more signal lines 4022.

In FIG. 40, the search logic 4024 comprises a third resource that is configured to provide a candidate quality of service indicator for the packet. In one example, the search logic 4024 comprises the combination of the data path logic 1808, CAM 1810, and ARAM 1812 illustrated in FIG. 18. The CAM KEY fields 4028 from the current SCT entry (FIG. 28) form inputs to the data path logic 1808 over one or more signal lines 4030. Responsive thereto, the data path logic 1808 selects a subset of the combined packet and process data. This subset forms a key, which is input to the CAM 1810. A search is conducted for a CAM entry having a tag portion that matches the key.

If a hit occurs, the content portion of the entry forms the address to the ARAM 1812. An example of the addressed entry of the ARAM has the format illustrated in FIGS. 32A-32B. In FIGS. 32A-32B, as in FIG. 44B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator. If there is a miss, this third resource does not supply a candidate quality of service indicator for the current processing slot.

An optional port state table (PST) (not shown in FIG. 40) comprises a fourth possible resource that maps the current ingress port identifier for the packet (the PORT field illustrated in FIG. 22) into a fourth possible candidate quality of service indicator. FIG. 46A illustrates an example of the format of the PST in this example, and FIG. 46B illustrates an example of the format of a PST entry in this example. In FIG. 46B, the EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS fields are, respectively, the egress, ingress and host components of the candidate quality of service indicator, and the EQoS VALID, IQoS VALID, and CQoS VALID fields are flags indicating respectively whether the EQoS, IQoS and CQoS fields are valid. The EMRK SEL and EMRK MASK fields together form the packet marking component of the candidate quality of service indicator.

A configuration table (not shown in FIG. 40) indicates whether the VST or PST will be active for a given ingress port. In the example illustrated in FIG. 40, one or the other but not both of the VST and the PST are active for a given port. The IF PST ACTIVE flag in FIG. 22, if asserted, indicates that the PST is active for the current processing sequence.

In one embodiment, with one exception, each of the candidate quality of service indicators produced by the various resources is assigned a priority by the QoS priority table 4014. The one exception is that the priority for the CAM-based, ARAM-supplied candidate quality of service indicators is provided by the current SCT entry (FIG. 28). More specifically, the EQoS PRIORITY, IQoS PRIORITY, and Coos PRIORITY fields provide the priority, respectively, for the CAM-based, ARAM-supplied EQoS, IQoS, and CQoS indicators. In one example, the format of the QoS priority table is as illustrated in FIG. 47A. The entries of this table that are relevant to this discussion are the QoS Priority entries 4702. An address into this table is formed by zero extending the QoS SEG value by 8 bits, and concatenating an MSB of 1'b1 into bit [8] of the address. An example of the format of an entry to this table is illustrated in FIG. 47B. As illustrated, an entry in this table separately assigns a priority to each of the EQoS, IQoS, CQoS, EMRK SEL/MASK components as produced by all but one of the resources that have been discussed. The exception is the ARAM-supplied QoS components, which are supplied with priority values by the current SCT entry. In FIG. 28, the priorities of the ARAM-supplied EQoS, IQoS, CQoS, and EMRK QoS components are respectively provided by the EQoS PRIORITY, IQoS PRIORITY, CQoS PRIORITY, and EMRK PRIORITY fields.

In FIG. 40, the resolution logic 4032 comprises the packet processor 1802 of FIG. 18. The packet processor resolves the candidate quality of service indicators as received from each of the various resources with the current QoS components (represented by the EQoS, IQoS, COS, EMRK SEL, EMRK MASK fields of FIG. 23).

If a candidate QoS component received from a resource is not indicated as valid, it is ignored. Otherwise, the component is considered in the resolution process. During this process, for each QoS component that is indicated as being valid, the packet processor 1802 compares the priority of that candidate with that of all the other valid candidates and that of the current QoS component, and replaces the current component with any candidate component that has the highest priority of all the other valid candidate components and that exceeds the priority of the current component. If more than one valid candidate component is provided that has a priority that exceeds that of the current component, the first encountered candidate component is selected as the next component. In one example, the candidate components are evaluated in the following order: PST, VAST, Vpri QoS Mapping, MPLS Exp QoS Mapping, IP v4 ToS Mapping, IP v6 ToS Mapping, and ARAM-supplied. The resulting QoS component and priority values, identified in FIG. 40 with numeral 4034, become the current QoS component and priority values during the next processing slot that the packet undergoes.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment 4800 of a method of deriving a quality of service indicator for a packet, the packet having a state. In this method, step 4802 comprises holding a control element. Step 4804 comprises deriving a first candidate quality of service indicator for a packet from data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or both. Step 4806 comprises deriving a second candidate quality of service indicator for the packet from data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or both, responsive to at least a portion of the control element. Step 4808 comprises deriving a quality of service indicator for the packet from the first and second candidate quality of service indicators for the packet.

In one implementation, the method further comprises selecting the control element from a plurality of control elements held in a memory. In one example, the plurality of control elements comprises a sequence of control elements. In one configuration, the sequence of control elements comprises a sequence of software commands or instructions that form a program or processing sequence for the packet.

In one embodiment, the first deriving step 4804 comprises mapping data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or both, into the first candidate quality of service indicator. In another embodiment, the second deriving step 4806 comprises mapping data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or both, into the second candidate quality of service indicator responsive to at least a portion of the control element. In one implementation, the at least a portion of the control element specifies a mapping mode selected from a plurality of possible mapping modes.

In a second embodiment, the second deriving step 4806 comprises searching for a corresponding quality of service indicator using a key derived from data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or both, responsive to at least a portion of the control element. In one implementation, the key is derived from data representative of at least a portion of the packet, data representative of at least a portion of the state of the packet, or both, selected by the values of one or more fields of the control element.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises deriving a first priority for the first candidate quality of service indicator, deriving a second priority for the second candidate quality of service indicator, and deriving a quality of service indicator for the packet from the first and second candidate quality of service indicators, and the first and second priorities.

In one implementation, the packet has a current quality of service indicator and priority, and the method further comprises replacing the current quality of service indicator for the packet with the first candidate quality of service indicator if the priority of the first candidate quality of service indicator exceeds that of the current quality of service indicator and that of the second candidate quality of service indicator. In this implementation, the method further comprises replacing the current quality of service indicator for the packet with the second candidate quality of service indicator if the priority of the second candidate quality of service indicator exceeds that of the current quality of service indicator and that of the first candidate quality of service indicator.

In one example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is an egress quality of service indicator. In a second example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is an ingress quality of service indicator. In a third example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is a host quality of service indicator. In a fourth example, the quality of service indicator for the packet is a multi-dimensional quality of service indicator comprising ingress, egress, and host quality of service indicator components.

In another embodiment, the method comprises deriving three or more candidate quality of service indicators for the packet, and deriving the quality of service indicator for the packet from the three or more candidate quality of service indicators.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 49 illustrates an embodiment 4900 of a system for supporting virtual routing of a packet. In this system, a register 4902 is configured to hold a plurality of predetermined router addresses 4902 a, 4902 b, 4902 c. Comparison logic 4904 is configured to compare an address 4906 derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined router addresses 4902 a, 4902 b, 4902 c held in the register 4902, and derive a plurality N of data elements (identified with numeral 4908), wherein N is an integer greater than 1, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the one or more predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet. The system further comprises assertion logic 4910 for asserting a flag 4912 if the state of one or more of the data elements 4908 indicates a match between the corresponding router address 4902 a, 4902 b, 4902 c and the address 4906 derived from the packet.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises masking logic 4914 for masking selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements, and the assertion logic 4910 is configured to assert the flag 4912 if the state of one or more unmasked ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.

In one implementation, the assertion logic 4910 is configured to assert the flag 4912 if the state of any of the unmasked data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.

In one embodiment, the masking logic 4914 is configured to mask selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements responsive to a mask 4916. In one example, the packet has a primary quality of service determining field, and the system further comprises selection logic 4918 for selecting the mask responsive to the primary quality of service determining field of the packet.

In one embodiment, the comparison logic 4904 is configured to compare a layer two address derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined addresses held in the register 4902.

In one embodiment, the comparison logic 4904 is configured to compare a MAC destination address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of addresses held in the register 4902. In one implementation, the comparison logic 4904 is configured to derive a bit string having a bit for each of the plurality of router addresses held in the register 4902, the bit corresponding to a routing address having a state indicating whether the MAC destination address derived from the packet matches the corresponding router address held in the register 4902. The assertion logic 4910 is configured to assert the flag 4912 if the state of any unmasked ones of the bits in the bit string indicate a match between the corresponding router address and the MAC destination address.

In the example illustrated, a mask may be obtained from either or both a selected entry in the PST (see RADDR mask in FIG. 46B), or a selected entry in the VST (see RADDR mask in FIG. 41B). Both masks, once obtained, are logically ANDed with a bit stream indicating the result of comparing the N router addresses held in the register 4902 with a MAC destination address obtained from the packet. A bit is present in the bit stream for each of the router addresses held in the register 4902. If there is a match between a router address and the MAC destination address, the corresponding bit is placed in the asserted state, which can be either logical “1” or “0” depending on the circumstances. The assertion logic 4910 then asserts the RADDR flag 4912 if any of the unmasked bits 4920 are asserted.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart of an embodiment 5000 of a method of supporting virtual routing of a packet. This method comprises step 5002, holding a plurality of predetermined router addresses, and step 5004, comparing an address derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined router addresses.

The method further comprises step 5006, deriving a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the one or more predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet.

The method also comprises step 5008, asserting a flag if the state of any of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of masking selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements, and the asserting step 5008 comprises asserting the flag if the state of one or more unmasked ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.

In one implementation, the asserting step 5008 further comprises asserting the flag if the state of any of the unmasked data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.

In one embodiment, the masking step further comprises masking selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements responsive to a mask. In one example, the packet has a primary quality of service determining field, and the method further comprises the step of selecting the mask responsive to the primary quality of service determining field of the packet.

In one embodiment, the comparing step 5004 further comprises comparing a layer two address derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined addresses. In one implementation, the comparing step 5004 further comprises comparing a MAC destination address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of addresses.

In one configuration, the deriving step 5006 further comprises deriving a bit string having a bit for each of the plurality of router addresses, the bit corresponding to a routing address having a state indicating whether the MAC destination address derived from the packet matches the corresponding router address, and the asserting step 5008 further comprises asserting the flag if the state of any unmasked ones of the bits in the bit string indicate a match between the corresponding router address and the MAC destination address.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises selecting the mask depending on whether the primary quality of service selection field in the packet is an ingress VLAN identifier or ingress port identifier.

FIG. 51 illustrates an embodiment 5100 of a system for supporting de-multiplexing of a packet. In this embodiment, key deriving logic 5102 is configured to derive a key 5104 indicating a desired class of service for the packet selected from a plurality of possible classes of service, such as Ethertype or PPID (for Packet over SONET), any of the foregoing further qualified by the Protocol field for IP v4 or IP v6 packets, or any of the foregoing further qualified by VMAN/VLAN state detection. In one implementation, each of these fields is wild-cardable through suitable setting of masks for each of the fields in the Ethertype [PPID]/Protocol/VMAN[VLAN] State data construct as part of the class of service qualification. The system further comprises starting address logic 5106 for providing a starting address of a program sequence for the packet responsive to the key, the starting address selected from a plurality of possible starting addresses 5106 a, 5106 b, 5106 c, each associated with different classes of service. A memory 5108 is configured to hold a plurality of program sequences 5108 a, 5108 b, 5108 c corresponding to the possible starting addresses. Execution logic 5110 is configured to execute the program sequence corresponding to the starting address provided by the starting address logic 5106.

In one embodiment, the key deriving logic 5102 is configured to derive the key 5104 indicating the desired class of service for the packet selected from the group comprising uni-cast routing, multi-cast routing, and bridging.

In one embodiment, the starting address logic 5106 is a content addressable memory (CAM) holding a plurality of entries, each having a tag portion and a content portion indicating the starting address of a program sequence for a desired class of service, wherein the CAM is configured to search for an entry having a tag portion matching the key and a content portion indicating the starting address for a program sequence corresponding to the desired class of service indicated by the key. If a match is found, the CAM is configured to output the content portion of the matching entry and, if a match is found, an indicator of a hit condition, and, if a match is not found, an indicator of a miss condition.

In a second embodiment, the starting address logic 5106 is a lookup table holding a plurality of addressable entries, each indicating the starting address of a program sequence for a desired class of service, wherein the lookup table is configured to access an entry in the table addressed by the key and indicating the starting address for a program sequence corresponding to the desired class of service indicated by the key, and output the starting address indicated by the entry.

In the example illustrated, the RADDR flag produced by the system of FIG. 49 forms a bit 5104 a of the key. This bit, if asserted, indicates that the packet should be routed not bridged. Another bit (that identified with numeral 5104 b) forms another bit in key. This bit, if asserted, indicates that the packet should be multicast not unicast. If bit 5104 a is asserted but bit 5104 b is not, the packet should be uni-cast routed. If bits 5104 a and 5104 b are both asserted, the packet should be multi-cast routed. If neither bit is asserted, the packet should be bridged.

The starting address logic 5106 in this example is assumed to be a CAM. This CAM has three entries, 5112 a, 5112 b, 5112 c, the tag portions of which, identified respectively with numerals 5114 a, 5114 b, 5114 c, match the upper portion 5014 c of the key. One of these three entries is match by the CAM depending on the state of the lower two bits 5104 a, 5104 b in the key. If unicast routing is indicated, the entry 5112 a is matched. If multicast routing is indicated, the entry 5112 b is matched. If bridging is indicated, the entry 5112 c is matched.

Upon a match, the content portion of the matched entry forms the starting address of the SCT program sequence for the packet. Thus, if entry 5112 a is matched, the content portion 5106 a forms the starting address of the SCT program sequence for the packet. If entry 5112 b is matched, the content portion 5106 b forms the starting address of the SCT program sequence for the packet. If entry 5112 c is matched, the content portion 5106 c forms the starting address of the SCT program sequence for the packet. Thus, in FIG. 51, the SCT program sequence 5108 a is executed if unicast routing of the packet is desired. The SCT program sequence 5108 b is executed if multicast routing of the packet is desired. The SCT program sequence 5108 c is executed if bridging of the packet is desired.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment 5200 of a method of supporting de-multiplexing of a packet. This method comprises step 5202, deriving a key indicating a desired class of service for the packet selected from a plurality of possible classes of service. The method also comprises step 5204, providing a starting address of a program sequence for the packet responsive to the key, the starting address selected from a plurality of possible starting addresses, each associated with different classes of service.

The method further comprises step 5206, holding a plurality of program sequences corresponding to the possible starting addresses. It also comprises step 5208, executing the program sequence corresponding to the provided starting address.

In one embodiment, the deriving step 5202 further comprises deriving the key indicating the desired class of service for the packet selected from the group comprising uni-cast routing, multi-cast routing, and bridging.

In one embodiment, the providing step 5204 further comprises searching through a plurality of entries, each having a tag portion and a content portion indicating the starting address of a program sequence for a desired class of service, for an entry having a tag portion matching the key and a content portion indicating the starting address for a program sequence corresponding to the desired class of service indicated by the key, and, if a match is found, outputting the content portion of the matching entry and an indicator of a hit condition, and, if a match is not found, outputting an indicator of a miss condition.

In a second embodiment, the providing step 5204 comprises addressing a plurality of addressable entries, each indicating the starting address of a program sequence for a desired class of service, to access an entry addressed by the key and indicating the starting address for a program sequence corresponding to the desired class of service indicated by the key, and outputting the starting address indicated by the addressed entry.

FIG. 53 illustrates an embodiment 5300 of a system for supporting advanced MPLS label processing of a packet having a plurality of MPLS labels 5302 a, 5302 b, 5302 c. In this embodiment, the system comprises key deriving logic 5304 for deriving a key 5306 from the packet, the key having entries 5306 a, 5306 b, 5306 c reflecting each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet.

The system further comprises processing logic 5308 for processing the packet 5302 responsive to the key 5306, including processing in parallel each of the plurality of MPLS labels 5302 a, 5302 b, 5302 c in the packet, resulting in a classification or forwarding decision 5310 for the packet responsive to each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet.

In one embodiment, the processing logic 5308 comprises searching logic 5312 for searching through a plurality of entries, each having a tag portion and a content portion, for an entry having a tag portion that matches the key, and if such an entry is found, outputting the content portion of the matching entry and an indicator of a hit condition, and, if such an entry is not found, outputting an indicator of a miss condition.

In one implementation, in addition to the indicator of a hit or miss condition, the searching logic 5312 is also configured to output first and second command addresses. In this implementation, the processing logic 5308 is configured to execute a program sequence of one or more commands for the packet, including executing the first command if the searching logic 5312 outputs an indicator of a hit condition, and executing the second command if the searching logic 5312 outputs an indicator of a miss condition.

In one example, the processing logic 5308 further comprises a memory 5314 for holding the first and second commands, identified respectively with numerals 5314 a and 5314 b. A register 5316 holds the current command being executed in the current processing cycle. The first command 5314 a is loaded into the register 5316 for execution during the next processing cycle if a hit condition is indicated by the searching logic 5312, and the second command 5314 b is loaded into the register 5316 for execution during the next processing cycle if a miss condition is indicated by the searching logic 5312. One of skill in the art would appreciate, however, that the details of the processing logic 5308 are not important to the invention as broadly construed.

In one implementation, the key deriving logic 5304 is configured to derive the key 5306 by selecting data representative of each of the MPLS labels from a superset of data representative of the packet responsive to one or more selection fields 5316 a in a current command 5316 that is being executed by the processing logic 5308, and inserting the selected data in the key 5306. In the example illustrated, the current command 5316 is the current SCT entry, and the key select fields are the CAM KEY SEL fields indicated in FIG. 28.

In one configuration, an ARAM-supplied field, the MPLS field (see FIGS. 32A-32B), indicates which of the MPLS labels undergoing parallel processing should be deemed to be the active label, i.e., the label that influences a forwarding decision for the packet, such as by influencing the QoS mapping and exception handling functions.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment 5400 of a method of supporting advanced MPLS label processing of a packet having a plurality of MPLS labels. This method comprises step 5402, deriving a key from the packet, the key reflecting each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet. The method also comprises step 5404, processing the packet responsive to the key, including processing in parallel each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet, resulting in a classification or forwarding decision for the packet responsive to each of the plurality of MPLS labels in the packet.

In one embodiment, the processing step 5404 comprises searching through a plurality of entries, each having a tag portion and a content portion, for an entry having a tag portion that matches the key, and if such an entry is found, outputting the content portion of the matching entry and an indicator of a hit condition, and, if such an entry is not found, outputting an indicator of a miss condition.

In one implementation, the processing step 5404 further comprises executing a programmed sequence of one or more commands for the packet, including executing a first command responsive to the outputting of a hit condition and executing a second command responsive to the outputting of a miss condition.

In one example, the deriving step 5402 further comprises selecting data representative of each of the MPLS labels from a superset of data representative of the packet responsive to one or more selection fields in a current command that is being executed, and inserting the selected data in the key.

In one implementation example, any of the foregoing systems and methods may be implemented or embodied as one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A system for supporting virtual routing of a packet comprising: a register for holding a plurality of predetermined router addresses: comparison logic for comparing an address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses held in the register, and deriving a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet; and assertion logic for asserting a first flag if the state of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet; wherein, if the first flag is asserted, a processor in the system executes a first program sequence to route and not bridge the packet; wherein, if the first flag is not asserted, the processor in the system executes a second program sequence to bridge and not route the packet; wherein the packet has a header and a second flag derived from the first flag is inserted into the packet header for use by downstream devices encountering the packet in performing a packet processing function.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising masking logic for masking selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements, and the assertion logic is configured to assert the first flag if the state of one or more unmasked ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the masking logic is configured to mask selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements responsive to one or more masks; wherein the one or more masks comprise one or more selected entries in one or more tables.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the packet has a primary quality of service determining field, and the system further comprises selection logic for selecting the mask responsive to the primary quality of service determining field of the packet.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the selection logic is configured to allow selection of a mask depending on whether the primary quality of service selection field in the packet is derived from an ingress VLAN identifier or ingress port identifier.
 6. The system of claim 3 wherein the comparison logic is configured to compare a layer two address derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined addresses held in the register.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the comparison logic is configured to compare a MAC destination address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of addresses held in the register.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the comparison logic is configured to derive a bit string having a bit for each of the plurality of router addresses held in the register, the bit corresponding to a routing address having a state indicating whether the MAC destination address derived from the packet matches the corresponding router address held in the register, and the assertion logic is configured to assert the first flag if the state of any unmasked ones of the bits in the bit string indicate a match between the corresponding router address and the MAC destination address.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the assertion logic is configured to assert the first flag if the state of any of the unmasked data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the packet processing function is an echo kill suppress function.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the second flag is derived by applying a program sequence, selected based on the first flag, to the packet.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the second flag, if asserted, indicates the packet should be bridged not routed.
 13. A method of supporting virtual routing of a packet comprising the steps of: holding a plurality of predetermined router addresses: comparing an address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses; deriving a plurality of data elements, the plurality of data elements having a data element corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined router addresses and having a state indicating whether or not the corresponding router address matches the address derived from the packet; and asserting a first flag if the state of one or more of the data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet; wherein, if the first flag is asserted, a processor in the system executes a first program sequence to route and not bridge the packet; wherein, if the first flag is not asserted, the processor in the system executes a second program sequence to bridge and not route the packet; wherein the packet has a header and a second flag derived from the first flag is inserted into the packet header for use by downstream devices encountering the packet in performing a packet processing function.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of masking selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements, and the asserting step comprises asserting the first flag if the state of one or more unmasked ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the masking step further comprises masking selected ones of the data elements in the plurality of data elements responsive to one or more masks; wherein the one or more masks comprise one or more selected entries in one or more tables.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the packet has a primary quality of service determining field, and the method further comprises the step of selecting the mask responsive to the primary quality of service determining field of the packet.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising selecting the mask depending on whether the primary quality of service selection field in the packet is derived from an ingress VLAN identifier or ingress port identifier.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein the comparing step further comprises comparing a layer two address derived from the packet with each of one or more of the predetermined addresses.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the comparing step further comprises comparing a MAC destination address derived from the packet with each of the plurality of addresses.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the deriving step further comprises deriving a bit string having a bit for each of the plurality of router addresses, the bit corresponding to a routing address having a state indicating whether the MAC destination address derived from the packet matches the corresponding router address, and the asserting step further comprises asserting the first flag if the state of any unmasked ones of the bits in the bit string indicate a match between the corresponding router address and the MAC destination address.
 21. The method of claim 13 wherein the asserting step further comprises asserting the first flag if the state of any of the unmasked data elements in the plurality of data elements indicates a match between the corresponding router address and the address derived from the packet.
 22. The method of claim 13 wherein the packet processing function is an echo kill suppress function.
 23. The method of claim 13 wherein the second flag is derived by applying a program sequence, selected based on the first flag, to the packet.
 24. The method of claim 13 wherein the second flag, if asserted, indicates the packet should be bridged not routed. 